HUUF WEEKLY

On one of my slow, self-pitying walks through the forest, I toggle on over to a forgotten audio volume from teacher Tara Brach. She’s talking about the process of enlightenment undertaken by the Buddha. How he went to great lengths to root out his suffering: taking on strenuous ascetic practices, traveling afar, abandoning his former life and denying all pleasures of the body.  And yet it was only when he sat still beneath the mythic bodhi tree – no longer striving, searching, grasping – did he finally receive the awakening, and thus the deliverance he was sought.

Within the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well, there is a story of the prophet Elijah, deeply desirous to encounter the face and presence of the Divine. And he is led to a mountaintop wherein there comes, “a great and mighty wind”, followed by an earthquake, followed by a fire. And as he is assaulted by each new & great phenomenon, we are told that G-d is not in the wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire. Finally, after these tremendous forces pass through, he hears “a still, small voice”.  And therein lies his appointment with the Sublime.

At these times (both in my individual life, but within the life of the larger Collective, as well) of great upheaval, the cultural imperative to grasp outwardly toward quick, facile & prescriptive solutions can be so alluring.
“Get me the hell out of this place – & fast!” our conditioning yells.
And yet the wise ones, both of myth and of history, compel us otherwise.

Sit beneath the bodhi tree.
Wait upon the still, small Voice.
Rest is not admitting defeat.
Unknowing is not blithe & willful ignorance.
Only the cup that has been emptied is the one that can once more be re-filled.
Sometimes we must be willing to STOP what we have been doing, in order to find the movement that will propel us forward into where we are called to be.

Next week marks the official arrival of our much anticipated minister, Rev. Peter Farriday. In addition to all the roles and spaces in which he’ll be taking up residence in the months to come, I imagine he’ll be occupying this spot, as well. Offering whatever stories, wisdom, inspiration and knowledge he has to give inside a container of his choosing.  And I am happy to cede this tiny, virtual post to him.

It has been an honor and a boon to sit inside this space with you all over the past year-and-a-half.  During the deep Unknowing.  During the tumult and the questioning and the doing whatever we needed to do to keep this beloved community intact.

I look forward to this next leg of the journey together, wherever it takes us.
I hold faith in my own body’s ability to heal & regenerate, given the time and resources it needs.
And I trust our ability, as a larger body –  of faith, love, conscience, hope.
May we continue to bravely and kindly hold space for one another, inside the struggle.
May we rest together atop the deep roots, beneath the generous shade of this communally-fed tree.
May we be willing to turn towards the still, small voices when they beckon. And follow where they lead.

yours,
in grace & gratitude,
Amy Day (she/her)
Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration, HUUF

We are so pleased to announce the return of the “Our Whole Lives” Human Sexuality program this coming fall!  Our team of facilitators has gathered and discussed what age groups we have the capacity to serve in the year to come.   We will be starting with a 4th-6th grade group this coming September, that will likely be on Monday afternoons, for a period of 6 consecutive weeks.
If you have a child you’d like to enroll in this age group (or one from another grade, you’d like to register your interest for), please fill out this Interest Form, so we can be in touch, and let you know when registration officially opens!

Exploring Renewable Energy Futures in Humboldt County

A dangerously hot summer shows we need to act quickly on climate change. If Humboldt County residents are to eliminate climate-changing fossil fuels from our energy mix, we’ll need more renewable energy for our homes and businesses.  Where will that come from?

Find the answer to that question at “Exploring Renewable Energy Futures in Humboldt County,” on Monday, August 9, at 7:00 p.m., on Zoom. Local energy researcher Amin Younes will look at how we can develop renewable electricity in Humboldt over the coming decade. Amin is a fellow at the Schatz Energy Research Center where he studies Humboldt’s offshore wind resource, options to improve our connection to the statewide grid, and other local energy issues.

This event is cosponsored by HUUF’s Climate Action Campaign, so we hope you’ll attend. Join the Zoom program by visiting 350 Humboldt’s Facebook page, or register directly at: 

https://actionnetwork.org/events/exploring-renewable-energy-futures-in-humboldt-county/

Just a Few Days Left to Apply– Don’t miss this opportunity!
The UU@UN is accepting applications for youth (age 14-18) and adults to help plan our 2022 Seminar! The team will convene virtually starting in September to prepare for the April 2022 event expected to take place in NYC.
Youth Deans (application deadline extended!) serve as leaders of programming during the Seminar, working with the Planning Committee to create programs that are safe and inclusive for all. Youth Dean is a two-year position.
Youth and Adult Chaplains (apply by August 9) help create a caring environment rooted in UU faith through spiritual grounding opportunities and support for attendees.
Planning Committee Members (all ages: apply by August 9) craft the Seminar’s educational arc, plan worship and workshops, coordinate logistics, and more!

Community member seeks space for her Tiny Home

Looking for a spot to park and live in my beautiful tiny house. Interested in renting, leasing or purchasing rural setting in the Arcata area.