We arrive in a season of new growth and new possibility burdened by a year of loss and isolation. If we are to be alive and awake in this world, we can’t make a choice between grief or hope: we can only befriend them both and go on together.

"Seek to understand before seeking to be understood,” say teachers and mentors from secular and religious traditions alike. What does it mean to “hear each other into speech” about the hopes, fears, and experiences closest to our hearts?

In a time where things feel decidedly not well how do we live into the hope that things will improve? This service will explore how we move toward healing from a place of uncertainty and lamentation. Ali Bell is a seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School in the Master of Divinity program. Xe is the Ministerial Intern at Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair in Montclair, NJ and the Senior Learning Fellow at the Church of the Larger Fellowship.

Schug ministerial intern Monica Kling-Garcia preaching for the February 7, 2021 service. Since ancient human history, board games have been a way of entertaining ourselves and bringing people together. From chess to "Monopoly," these games are not only rich with strategy and memories - but also lessons for how to be in community during difficult times.

As the new year starts, we look back to go forward! 74 years ago, our then-minister the Rev. Leslie Pennington preached a bold message encouraging us into intentional spiritual practice that leads to action for good in the world. This Sunday, Rev. David preaches that same sermon, inviting present-day engagement with a timeless message.

Presidents at least since FDR prioritized their "first 100 days" -- the list of things they planned to do first. What's on your list? Rev. David Schwartz preaching.