Dear Ones,

As I write this, I’m listening to the inauguration events in Washington, D.C., just hours before Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as the new President and Vice President of the United States.

Regardless of political inclination, the inauguration of a President is a solemn occasion. The ceremonies are a ritual of transfer from one leader to another, an acknowledgement that there is something bigger than the individuals leaving office, and the individuals taking up the reins of leadership. 

That something bigger is democracy itself. Our own Fifth Principle that we Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote is “the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” Being involved in the project of democracy, of ensuring every individual has a voice and a vote – that’s a religious commitment of ours.

I hope you’ll join us for our worship service this coming Sunday, “Inaugurating Hope.” We will feature several of the poems offered at various Presidential Inaugurations as readings, and I’ll offer a few reflections on how poets use language in particular ways to capture the sense of our – all of our – joint project of promoting and protecting the democratic process, in our congregations, our communities, and our country.

Thank you for being here & staying connected. I love you. Be well, and stay safe!

Blessings,
Rev. Lori Hlaban