It is that time of year again! Whether we are ready for it or not, we are gearing up for being back. For our Faith Exploration program this summer, we have been cleaning up, consolidating, and refreshing our classrooms!

It has been exciting to see

the changes, and it could

not have been done without the support of Paula Garner! If you have the chance, please take a moment to tell Paula how awesome she is 🙂.  Our High School Youth room is getting a new look, as pictured in the photo above! We are painting the walls and creating a space that truly suits them. We invite our youth group members to come back on Sunday, August 9 to help paint and decorate!

Registration for Faith Exploration is open! Please sign up here for one of our many wonderful programs for youth. Registration helps us stay connected with our families and gets you “in the know” about what’s happening with our children and youth in this congregation. 

SAVE THE DATE! Our Annual Backpack Blessing will happen on Sunday, August 30. Children, youth, and teachers will receive a token and a blessing for being a part of our program. We will also have an OPEN HOUSE for families to get to know our teachers and class offerings. You don’t want to miss this!

Widening Our Welcome, Deepening Our Belonging

by Megan Duncan

Think back to your first visit to Common Flame. Mine was a lovely spring Sunday a few years ago, and I was so nervous I thought about waiting in the car while my family went inside. I was, after all, not raised as a “church person.” But when I entered I was greeted by the nicest smile on the greeters’ face, and two people introduced themselves to me and said they were happy I was there. And then they didn’t make me feel awkward with small talk, but they checked in again after service to see what I thought. I felt seen. That planted my seed of belonging in this community.

I’m curious what planted your seed of belonging at Common Flame? Email me and let me know.

Belonging isn’t only about reaching out; it’s about being vulnerable and open to being reached. In Brené Brown’s 2017 book, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, she advises: “Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don’t belong. You will always find it because you’ve made that your mission.” She challenges us to remain open to belonging, to work to unlearn our instinct to sort people into "us" and "them." When we say, “you belong here,” we mean it.

Now look at me, three years later in full “church lady” mode and proud to be. I find joy in chatting with people during coffee hour, deepen my feeling of belonging at mom’s group meetings, and frequently extend a welcome to people I don’t know. Sometimes I get it wrong or forget names or mix up which kid belongs to which adult, and then I take a breath and move on. Because we’re all doing the best we can.

I challenge you to notice who’s standing alone, who came back for a second visit or a third, someone who has been here a long time but you’ve never spoken to, and say hello. Ask a question about their life and listen to their answer. Be curious. You may plant their seed of belonging.

There’s something wonderful happening at Common Flame this year, and I don’t just mean our new name. As we step into this new identity together, your music ministry is stepping into a season that feels every bit as bold and full of possibility as what we’re building as a congregation. New name, new energy, and honestly, some of the most exciting music I’ve had the pleasure of programming in years. 

We will be tackling two major works this season that I can't wait to share more about in the coming months. One tells a beautiful story of immigration and disability. The other celebrates the historical and ongoing impact of women in both theology and politics. Both are the kind of pieces that remind us exactly why we sing together in the first place; why we gather week after week to make something bigger than any one voice. I promise the details are worth the wait, and I think you're going to love where we're headed.

If you've ever thought about joining the choir, even for a moment, consider this your invitation. Our Fall Retreat lands on Saturday, August 29, with weekly rehearsals kicking off the following Wednesday, September 2. You don't need years of training or a special audition mindset to belong here, just a willingness to show up and sing. Registration details will be coming your way soon in the weekly connection, so keep an eye out, and know that all voices and experience levels are always welcome.

And here's something for the whole congregation, not just the choir. This year I'll be leading a three-part series called UU Hymnody 101 – a chance to explore the history and stories behind the hymns we sing most often. Ever wonder where “Spirit of Life” came from, or why “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” has become such a beloved touchstone across our denomination, or the story behind “Blue Boat Home” and its call to hold onto hope through life’s changing tides? We’ll dig into questions like these together, learn a bit of the history, and most importantly, just enjoy singing together. Whether you’re brand new to Unitarian Universalism or you’ve been humming these tunes for decades, this series is for you. Dates are still being finalized, so stay tuned, and get ready to sing along. 

As always, my door (and inbox) are open if you have questions, ideas, or just want to talk about music. Here’s to a season full of voice, story, and flame.