Hello Dear Ones!

I pray the summer has been good to each of you – restful, joyful and nourishing in all the ways, despite all the ugliness all around.

I write with beautiful and tough news. Much to my delight, I have been invited to serve as Assistant Minister for Lifelong Faith Formation at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville in Maryland, alongside their senior minister, the good Rev. Dr. Rebekah Savage, a member of our BLUU community. This is really beautiful news because parish ministry has been calling me back for a little while now and having an opportunity to live into this calling in a sanctuary state in these times is a real blessing. And this is extremely tough news for me because of how much I adore BLUU and all our people; how much I have grown as a minister and as a person for having been here for the last eight years (!!!); how committed I will forever be to BLUU’s mission and vision for a Unitarian Universalism that centers Blackness; and all the changes this shift will bring.

It’s not lost on me how significant this role is to the growth and vitality of BLUU. Not only is BLUU a first of its kind in Unitarian Universalism, but also hiring a minister whose entire job it is to support the spiritual needs and show up on behalf of Black folks in our movement is precedent-setting. So, even as I take this very big next step in ministry, I am mindful of both the potential impact of the first minister’s departure and the work necessary to ensure a smooth transition. So I am working with the Organizing Collective Board of Directors (OCB) to solidify a plan for my departure, and the OCB is working on a process to hire a new minister. In the meantime, please know that as I begin to settle into my new role at UUCR, I will also be winding down my time with BLUU through the end of the calendar year. So, I fully expect to see all the Black people at BLUU Homecoming on Sunday, September 14th at 4pm ET/3pm CT!

My goodness…I have been tickled and in tears over and over about all of this. Life is about to change dramatically. And grief is real. But one thing I’ve always been clear about is that this role doesn’t belong to me because I was the first. Also, change is healthy and good. This role, having evolved over the last eight years, with the pandemic and everything else, is ripe for a new voice, new insights, and new skills. And I’m excited for what and who may come!

I have said this before and I will shout it from the rooftops for the rest of my days: it has been a profound honor to be your minister! The ways we continually love on one another and catch one another, hold fast to joy, live out our Unitarian Universalism as Black people, and turn dreams into actualities will forever rock my world and blow my mind! Such deep care and beautiful ministry has been at the heart of who BLUU is as an organization and as a community. We have put resources and brilliance behind Black led organizations across the country. Our babies have had good times together thanks to the BLUUBerries ministry. New leaders have come into their fullness. Unbreakable bonds have been fortified on the streets, in worship (my goodness, remember Revival??), around the dinner table, and over zoom! We are 10 years old this year, friends!! It takes my breath away to imagine what the next ten will bring!

I love all of you to pieces! Call may be calling, but BLUU has my heart in ways no other community ever has or ever will. See y’all out on these internet streets!

 

Peace and love in abundance,

Mykal