Last week I faced the U.S. flag, pledged allegiance to it, and sang the national anthem, all while placing my right hand over my heart. I had only a fleeting impulse to take a knee, or not cross my heart, or not even stand. But I proceeded with these patriotic exercises nonetheless, and felt proud.

I was in Fairfax, VA, witnessing my son-in-law take the oath in becoming a U.S. citizen. He’s from Bangladesh, married my daughter almost seven years ago, but still faced relentless scrutiny while traveling. With a middle name of Mohammed, it sure ain’t easy entering the U.S. But he likes to say he only travels with his lawyer (my daughter). When you string together the number of hours they have been detained, it would equal a month worth of humiliating searches and intimidating cross-examinations. 

But there we were, the three of us in a crowded room, following the protocol for all the rituals on the road to becoming a citizen. Everyone was instructed several times about crossing one’s heart when saying the pledge, as though noncompliance could possibly nullify the mountain of paperwork and endless anxiety in dealing with immigration bureaucrats. Nobody was going to take that chance.

But despite feeling like one was being processed on an assembly line, a mood of joy mingled with relief and pride. My son-in-law’s ceremony included sixty-six people representing thirty-nine different nations from around the world. There was one from Germany, England, Canada, and Ukraine. Everyone else was dark-skinned or Asian, lifted by a spirit of new beginnings/new life. 

We sat through a video of Donald Trump reminding us how great it was to be an American, and a video of Madeleine Albright, an immigrant herself, addressing the unlimited possibilities in America for immigrants. We all pledged, and sang, and waved little American flags, and finally, one-by-one, each immigrant was called by name to receive her or his naturalization papers. Each immigrant took the certificate as though receiving an Oscar. Smiles and tears and love and laughter filled the room. 

I felt enormous delight that my dear son-in-law could travel now with a U.S. passport, eliminating the duress of going through customs. But the contradictions ricocheted around my mind: Immigrants are not welcome in our country; endless opportunities do not exist for people of color; Democratic principles are on the chopping block. And yet…there is still an ideal of America we seem to carry in our hearts. It’s like a blueprint for a country that strives for equality and justice, even when it stumbles along the path to freedom. I realized that despite my criticism of our nation’s hard right turn, I was not about to forsake my U.S. citizenship. Hope for this country is unfailing and all enduring. My son-in-law can now join the rest of us Americans in turning this country around

We went to dinner that night at their favorite restaurant in Alexandria. When my daughter made the reservation she was asked if it was a special occasion. She explained the circumstances, thinking nothing of it. The whole restaurant staff must have been alerted. When we arrived, the African American bartender fixed us free drinks. When moving to the dining room, our table was draped with the American flag. Our Korean waiter told us he had become a citizen just the year before. Then a guy from the kitchen crew came out to greet us. He was from Bangladesh. They babbled on in Bangla as though they were brothers. 

It was a slice of America that filled me with warm sentiments. Not the free drinks, but the international tapestry of immigrants, still counting on making their dreams come true in this country. They each have a story to tell. And all their stories together comprise the threads of American greatness, making it incumbent upon us all to realize our nation’s potential. TRG

New Church Administrator(s)…

It has not been easy filling the church administrator position following 15 years of Hal’s dedication. The church has grown both in numbers and complexity over that span of time. Although painful for everyone involved, we have learned some important lessons along the way. The UUA has actually broken down the administrator position into three levels: church administrator, business administrator, and financial executive. We were unclear about these distinctions because we’ve been coasting with the same person for many years. 

A year ago we hired Carol who was (easily) one of the more beloved staff persons ever. We found out the hard way that while she served as the perfect administrator, she agreed that the position actually required further skills. We then hired Philippe who has an MBA and tremendous international experience in accounting. A financial executive fell unwittingly into our laps, but we could not afford the salary for that level. Although Philippe was delighted to work here (we do have a very congenial staff), he was tapped for another position that could pay him what his high level of expertise deserved. 

In searching for a new “business administrator,” we were very pleased to receive 13 applications.  From this unexpected large pool of applicants we are pleased to announce that we have selected Margaret Kosorok to serve the church as our new Church Administrator.  Please welcome her warmly as our newest staff member.

Among ourselves…

It was a summer of many losses in our congregation. Earlier this summer, we held services for Pete Peterson and Marion Nelson. Recently we suffered the losses of Julie Swaner and Rawlins Young. Their respective celebrations of life will be held much later: For Julie it will probably be in March. We will make announcements beforehand so everyone knows. For Rawlins, please note there will be a viewing on September 5^thfrom 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at Holbrook Mortuary on 3251 South 2300 East; a graveside service on September 6^that 1:00 at the Salt Lake Cemetery; and a celebration of Rawlins’ life at First Unitarian on September 29^that 4:00.

As a congregation, we all grieve the loss and extend our love and sympathy to the families. We are grateful for a community in which we can come together to share joys and sorrows with the wonderful people who comprise this church community.

For my daughter’s birthday this year, my spouse and I decided to buy her a new bike. We’re so fortunate to live in a neighborhood where people can ride their bikes in relative safety, and where there are interesting places to go. Just one problem, daughter says: who is going to ride to these interesting places with her? 

So it only made sense for me to get a bike as well. I picked out a cute seven-speed in light blue, gave it a basket and a coffee-mug-holder, and when it arrived, she and I hit the streets. There’s no feeling like pedaling down the street, with the wind whipping by, sun streaming through the trees, riding through sprinklers, lifting your feet off the pedals to coast for a moment. 

Since we live in an upstairs apartment, it’s an effort to get the bikes up and down the stairs, so we have to be intentional about our bike riding. Sometimes it seems like more effort than it’s worth. We decide how far we want to ride today by remembering that, at the end of the ride, we will have to carry those bikes up the stairs. Even more exercise! Yet the sun, the breeze, the cold water, make it all worth it. 

These times that we live in are so oppressive. There’s so much pain in the world, and so much of it seems intentionally cruel, as though there are people just sitting around thinking of ways to hurt each other. Our neighbors and loved ones who live on the margins are in even greater danger than ever before, and the work to which our conscience calls us requires more of us, physically and emotionally. The injustices in the world can feel so overwhelming that to set them aside and engage in rest or the pursuit of joy comes with feelings of guilt or waste. 

But if we do not take time to enjoy the good things of life, then what are we working so hard for? I believe that life is not meant to be only hardship and pain; we are meant to enjoy it too. We don’t need to spend a lot of money or time; just appreciating the small joys of life is enough to sustain our work for a better world. Most especially, we need time to appreciate each other, the ones we love, as well as the stranger. But we have to be intentional about making space for joy. If we leave it to chance, we might find ourselves sitting on the sidelines. 

When the heavy lifting of justice work seems like too much effort, let us remind ourselves and each other that the sun, the wind, and the water are present with us in the work; and that none of us has to ride alone. Doing the work of making the world a better place can remind us of the goodness that is already here: that we are blessed beyond measure by the beauty of the world and the love that we share.

In these times, it seems there’s a new crisis every day – or even every minute. As I sit down to write this column, our nation is stunned by the death of Jeffrey Epstein, the mogul and acquaintance of President Trump who has been charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse. Almost as soon as the headline broke of Epstein’s apparent suicide while being held in municipal jail, conspiracy theories formed on Twitter: the right claiming the Clintons set him up to be murdered, the left claiming the Trump organization must have done it. Neither camp claimed to have any facts to back up these outrageous claims; yet, the bell only rang louder and louder. It felt true, somehow, to believe that there must be more to the story.

Never mind that 300 Americans every year choose suicide in jail rather than facing justice. After all, suicide is the leading cause of death in jails in the United States, and over 400 lawsuits have been filed in the past 5 years over guard negligence in jails. (https://www.vox.com/2019/8/14/20802292/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-jail-problem) To apply Occam’s Razor and assume that Epstein did the same makes sense here, though a thorough investigation must be conducted to rule out foul play. But the phenomenon of conspiracy theorizing in this case reveals a deeper problem. As my colleague Rev. Kat Liu puts it, it reminds us how badly the public trust in institutions has eroded. 

It’s been a long time coming. I remember President Reagan saying, when I was a kid, that “government cannot solve your problems - government IS the problem.” But I can remember thinking, even then, that the government is not an independent being; it is made up of people, ordinary people who go to work every day and do their jobs the best that they can, just like everyone else. Government employees and officials bring their own worldviews to their work, to be sure, but how is that different from anyone else? 

The problem is not government itself, per se, but rather the presence (or absence) of strong structures of mutuality, accountability, transparency, and fairness. People working together, checking up on each other, and holding one another and the institutions themselves accountable to their mission and their constituents make those institutions trustworthy. And when the accumulation of power becomes more important than those structures, the institution will inevitably crumble and fall. 

That’s why it’s so important for churches to mindfully, intentionally build and maintain those same structures. The trustworthiness of churches has eroded perhaps even faster than that of government: sex abuse scandals, misuse of funds, collusion with government, and failure to update faulty and harmful theology are just some of the reasons that many people no longer trust churches and other faith communities. 

Some of what has been lost is an understanding of how churches function, and how they are different from other kinds of institutions in our society. Churches are invested in equity and fairness, and in providing care for people, so they don’t operate on a fee-for-service basis. There can be no expectation that “you get what you pay for” in a church. On the contrary, you may give much of yourself, and not get anything tangible in return. Yet what you can get in terms of life-changing experience may be immeasurable. 

Likewise, churches are not intended to support government in any way - including partisan politics. They are called to hold ALL government structures to account for upholding moral values, and all officials, no matter what party they come from. Churches are to resist state-sanctioned evil, and it can be infuriating to see churches and ministers using twisted, harmful theology to support that evil. 

Reclaiming and reteaching an understanding of the church’s proper role in society can go a long way toward restoring people’s faith in it. However, it’s important to remember that, in the same manner as before, most churches are simply made up of people, who, by and large, are doing the best they can, as faithfully as they can. Taking risks, making mistakes, and learning as we go are not failures of churches – they are essential to spiritual and relational growth.

How can we - the ordinary, extraordinary people of First Unitarian Church - make this a trustworthy institution in our city, and for our future? We, too, must invest in structures of accountability: committees that are faithful to the mission of the congregation, communication with the Board and with the ministers, and honest communication with each other. We must not be afraid to speak out when we feel that our values are not being fully honored - inside the church, and certainly outside it. And yet, grace and forgiveness have a place in building and maintaining trust. In the spirit of our third principle, encouraging one another to spiritual growth, we must make conflict and criticism serve the larger purpose of growing as people, and so we must use speech that is direct but kind and loving, so that the larger message is always, “I care about you, and I care about our relationship.”

As we begin this church year together, I encourage you to think about the relationships that make our church life together meaningful, and how we can lean into building trust within our congregation and in the public eye as well, thereby giving us the power to make Utah a better, more just place for all people.

Not only does absence make the heart grow fonder, where our church community gets really pumped being reunited with friends at the start of the year, but a summer under siege makes us long more fiercely than ever for our community to gather again. What a summer, filled with more pain and divisiveness ever thought possible. And it was pretty hot, too.

We may pine for that nostalgic sense of lazy and hazy days of summer, where summer meant time away from stress and hassles. But this summer was filled with terrorizing hate and fear and loss. Racism is no longer subject to interpretation. We saw it up close, and felt sick as its white supremacy fangs spread venom through the nation. Nationalism no longer pretended to cloak its xenophobia by speaking in code or dog whistles. It was the real thing unleashed in all its ugliness. It was a tough season not to be supported by one another. 

It was a summer that made you feel blessed to be part of our church community. We share the same sensibilities, precluding lengthy arguments and explanations. Our church is a sanctuary for just being ourselves. This is an easy measure when among friends and allies. We return to church feeling battle-weary, and look for new energy filled with hope by way of hugs, smiles, worship, and recommitting to our many social justice programs. 

Yes, welcome back. We resume worship services on August 25th. This follows another fantastic Summer Forum series, led by Tim and Cathy Chambless. Our gratitude to them for keeping the church fully engaged on Sunday mornings with outstanding speakers addressing provocative subjects. Summer Forum often brings new people to the church. Our community definitely grows by way of Summer Forum establishing the right vibe reflective of who we are. 

The church will look and feel a little different when you return. The Capital Campaign, almost 60% of goal, has turned its attention to providing double windows in the chapel and the old parts of Eliot Hall. This huge energy-saving need has finally been satisfied thanks to your generosity. We maintain our commitment to being green. And the windows also help cut electric costs in the summer. We have brand new air conditioning condensers in operation. 

The summer hiatus naturally slowed the Capital Campaign down. Please let us resume our commitment and – as they say in the construction business – finish the job. Pledges are over a three-year period. We are at a point now, however, where cash flow has become paramount. Hint, hint, hint. Grab a pledge card at church if you haven’t already. And please let some funds begin to flow in. Much to be done.

Hopes and expectations are high for this church year as it is every year. The times demand of us a clear articulation of our liberal faith and our active demonstration of what that means. It feels this summer set the bar for our work especially high. But maybe that’s always how it has been. I am excited about seeing you all again on August25th at 10:00 for one service only. We resume two services on September 8th. And away we go…TRG

ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY: Friday August 23rd, Endangered Species Act Letter Writing Event, 6-8pm, Eliot Hall

ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY: Friday September 6th, 7-9pm, Eliot Hall

FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Monday September 9th at 6:15pm. Eliot Hall

ARTISTS DISCUSSING ART: The last Monday of every month artists gather at 7pm in the Haven to discuss each others art.  The group is open to all visual artist, watercolor, acrylic, oil, mixed media, fused glass, and clay. Bring work to discuss or just come to listen. Bring a light refreshment to share.

DREAM GROUP: (Summer Schedule, August 25th cancelled), then regular schedule 4th Sunday 12:45 pm in Room 201

MEDITATION WALKS:  Beginning September 24th 8am, Jordan River at Arrowhead Park, 550 W 4800 S.

Mindfulness Meditation CIRCLE: 

• Meets Sunday at 9am during summer schedule, in the Parlor, , (Sept 8th changes to 10am)
• third Wednesday meetings:  Beginning October 16th 6:30pm in The Parlor

MYSTICAL SPIRITUALITY: Meets the 2nd Sunday in Room 201 12:45pm

SANCTUARY:  Please engage or re-engage with Sanctuary, renew your background check, get caught up on training, and start actively volunteering at least once a month.  We have volunteers in Eliot Hall after both services ready to answer your questions and to help you engage or re-engage with Sanctuary.

• VOLUNTEER:  To volunteer to become a Sanctuary Host, sign up at: https://slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary%C2%A0">https://slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary 
• BACKGROUND CHECK: (New and Renew) Consent:   http://tinyurl.com/UUBCKT">http://tinyurl.com/UUBCKT  - $15 donation – All Sanctuary Volunteers need to get their background checks upgraded/renewed
• SANCTUARY TRAINING: Complete the training survey to let us know what days/times work for you: survey is included in the Background Check Consent form linked above
• DONATE:  Online donations to the Sanctuary Family Fund may be made at:  https://slcuu.org/sanctuary-fund, To donate by check, make check payable to:  First Unitarian Church of SLC, and write: Sanctuary Family Fund in the note. You can also donate through the GIVELIFY app, just check the Sanctuary Family Fund.

YOUNG ADULTS: A community of people in their 20's, 30's, or young at heart. See all of our upcoming events on Facebook: First Unitarian SLC Young Adults, or email us to receive notifications via email: , or you can reach out to Heather Drenckhahn

LUNCH BUNCH:

• June 30th: Katmandu, 212 So 700 East Ste D,SLC UT 801-355-0454,
• July 7, 2019, Thistle & Thyme (Inside the Marriot Hotel-University Park), 480 Wakara Way, SLC, UT 84108, 801-581-1000, https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/slcup-salt-lake-city-marriott-university-park/ (American(New), Breakfast & Brunch, Vegetarian, Cocktails)
• July 14, 2019, Meditrina, 165 W 900 S, SLC, UT 84101, 801-485-2055, www.meditrinaslc.com, (Vegan Options, Classy, Romantic, Trendy, Tapas Bar)
• July 21, 2019, Red Butte Café by 2300 East and Dans Foods (1414 S Foothill Dr, SLC 84108), 801-581-9498, http://www.theredbuttecafe.com/index.html ($$ / Diners, American (Traditional), Bakery)
• July 28, 2019 - Day Off

FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Monday July 1st at 6:15pm, Dinner and outside play.

ARTISTS DISCUSSING ART: The last Monday of every month artists gather at 7pm in the Haven to discuss each others art.  The group is open to all visual artist, watercolor, acrylic, oil, mixed media, fused glass, and clay. Bring work to discuss or just come to listen. Bring a light refreshment to share.

DREAM GROUP: (Summer Schedule July 28th 11:30am, August 25th 11:30am in Room 201)

HARVEST FOR HUNGER: If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees in your yard we need your help! We will have a cooler in Eliot Hall during coffee hour each Sunday for you to bring your excess fresh produce so that it can be donated to local shelters, soup kitchens, and families who have trouble putting food on the table. Contact Heather Drenckhahn with any questions:  More information also available at Harvest4Hunger.org 

MEDITATION WALKS:  No walks during summer schedule.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION CIRCLE: 

• Meets Sunday at 9am during summer schedule, in the Parlor,
• third Wednesday meetings:  No meetings during summer schedule

MYSTICAL SPIRITUALITY: Meets the 2nd Sunday in Room 201 (Summer Schedule July 14th at 11:30am, August 11th 11:30am)

SANCTUARY:  You may have heard that we have 200 Sanctuary volunteers ... but in reality the number who are actively volunteering is more like 70 and they need YOUR help.  Please engage or re-engage with Sanctuary, renew your background check, get caught up on training, and start actively volunteering at least once a month.  We have volunteers in Eliot Hall after both services ready to answer your questions and to help you engage or re-engage with Sanctuary.

• VOLUNTEER:  To volunteer to become a Sanctuary Host, sign up at: https://slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary%C2%A0">https://slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary 
• BACKGROUND CHECK: (New and Renew) Consent:   http://tinyurl.com/UUBCKT">http://tinyurl.com/UUBCKT  - $15 donation – All Sanctuary Volunteers need to get their background checks upgraded/renewed
• SANCTUARY TRAINING: Complete the training survey to let us know what days/times work for you: survey is included in the Background Check Consent form linked above
  • June 30th: Noon, North Entrance - Booster Training
• DONATE:  Online donations to the Sanctuary Family Fund may be made at:  https://slcuu.org/sanctuary-fund, To donate by check, make check payable to:  First Unitarian Church of SLC, and write: Sanctuary Family Fund in the note. You can also donate through the GIVELIFY app, just check the Sanctuary Family Fund..

YOUNG ADULTS: A community of people in their 20's, 30's, or young at heart. See all of our upcoming events on Facebook: First Unitarian SLC Young Adults, or email us to receive notifications via email: , or you can reach out to Heather Drenckhahn

Welcome to Summer!

What a fantastic year we had in Religious Education! With the support of our teachers, parents, and staff we studied famous UUs, explored the Bible, fought Horcruxes, visited 7 different faith communities, and dived deep into identity issues. 

There are no words to describe the gratitude we all feel for our Religious Education Teachers. Our teachers are dedicated members of our First Church community. Week in and week out these incredible adults give of themselves to our youth and community. Thank you to everyone for working so hard to create a beloved religious education community. 

Carrie Black, Melissa Bond, Kevin Emmerson, Kira Kilmer, Kendra Smith, Raleigh Smith

Karin Baumgartner, Cooper, Jennica Davis-Hockett, Derek Gersdorf, Kris Lander, Ian Mitchell, Jillian O'Karma, Usha Spaulding, Kristin Quinn

We would also like to acknowledge these families who went above and beyond to volunteer in our classrooms more than the suggested times(3 times per child/year). As a cooperative program, without parent involvement things classes just can’t happen! Thanks to: Chaston Family, Liu-Rusay Family, Pino Family, Finlayson-Moore Family, Duchon Family, and the Fonnesbeck-Kratzer Family. 

And absolutely nothing in Religious Education would happen without the incomparable Lissa Lander. She is the glue that holds things in Religious Education together. Artist, teacher, and finder of things Lissa spreads joy and knowledge everywhere she goes. When you see her, give her a big high five and your thanks. 

I can’t wait to see you all in the fall!

In Peace,

Director of Religious Education

Family Fun night continues through the summer! We’ll be playing outside the first Monday of each month, June 3rd, July 1st, and August 5th. Join us for dinner and outside play during these long summer nights! 

Pay attention! Next year, 5th/6th and High School OWL(Our Whole Lives) will be offered. 5th/6th OWL will be held in the spring, during Religious Education classes. High School, will meet twice a month, on Sunday evenings. Please know that these classes do fill up, but priority is given to families registered and established in our Religious Education program. Questions? Email Amanda Esko at . 

Want to make sure you don’t miss our Halloween Party or a Sandwich Sunday? Here is the current Religious Education calendar for the 2019-2020 church year. While things may change as the year moves on, this is a great place to start!  {link to RE Calendar PDF}

SAVE THE DATE

PLEDGE ROUND-UP: We’re at $537,665 or 97% toward our goal.  If you’ve been meaning to get around to it, now’s the time.  Knowing what we have to work with is extremely important as we begin to budget for the 2019-2020 church year. And thanks to all who have pledged to date! 

LUNCH BUNCH: June 2nd: Pride Parade-TBA or Desert Edge Pub & Restaurant, 273 Trolley Sq, 600 S 700 E, SLC

FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Monday June 3rd at 6:15pm, Dinner and outside play.

RE TEACHER CELEBRATION: will be on Saturday, June 8th. RE teachers, look for an invite this week for dinner and an outdoor movie. Want an invite to this super cool party? We're recruiting teachers for NEXT year right now. Email Amanda at  for more information!

FLOWER COMMUNION: Sunday June 9th. Our congregation will celebrate Flower Communion once again, with one service - outdoors, if the weather's nice - at 10am. In this intergenerational service, members of the congregation will share flowers with each other. Please bring a flower to share - either from your yard, or from a florist. Extra flowers will be available for those who forget, but the flowers that you choose yourself are extra special!

CHURCH PICNIC SUNDAY JUNE 9th: The annual end-of-year picnic is almost here. This event is fun for all ages! We need some extra hands to assist Joe Herring with set up/grilling/clean up. We have reserved our usual spot - Mt. Olympus Pavilion at Sugarhouse Park at NOON. PLEASE bring your OWN reusable, non-disposable dishes (plates/cups/bowls) and utensils so that we can limit recycling and waste that we generate. Cost is $5 per person, $4 for children payable at the park (checks made out to First Unitarian Church or exact change if paying in cash would be appreciated). Please bring a salad/veggie/ dessert dish to share. There will be burgers/dogs/chips/drinks. 

ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY:  Headed for Extinction and What To Do About It.  Adair Kovac from Extinction Rebellion Salt Lake will share climate science and evidence of ecological breakdown, and offer solutions through the study of social movements. Friday, 6/21/19 at 7:00pm in Eliot Hall.

ENVIRONMENTAL Ministry Book Discussion:  Note change in book!  A Call for Revolution: A Vision for the Future by the Dalai Lama & Sofia Stril-Rever.  A Landmark Message from the Dalai Lama: "This eloquent, urgent manifesto is possibly the most important message the Dalai Lama can give us about the future of our world. It’s his rallying cry, full of solutions for our chaotic, aggressive, divided times: no less than A CALL FOR REVOLUTION."  Leader: Vaughn Lovejoy ( Put "Book Group" in Subject Line.)  For our first gathering read Chapter 1(pp 1-27).  Mondays, May 13th to June 10, 6:30-8:30 PM, Room 218. Please enter the building by the North door.

ARTISTS DISCUSSING ART: The last Monday of every month artists gather at 7pm in the Haven to discuss each others art.  The group is open to all visual artist, watercolor, acrylic, oil, mixed media, fused glass, and clay. Bring work to discuss or just come to listen. Bring a light refreshment to share.

DREAM GROUP: (Summer Schedule July 28th 11:30am, August 25th 11:30am in Room 201)

MEDITATION WALKS:  No walks during summer schedule.

Mindfulness Meditation CIRCLE: 

• Meets Sunday at 9am during summer schedule, in the Parlor,
• third Wednesday meetings:  No meetings during summer schedule

MYSTICAL SPIRITUALITY: Meets the 2nd Sunday in Room 201 (Summer Schedule July 14th at 11:30am, August 11th 11:30am)

SANCTUARY:  You may have heard that we have 200 Sanctuary volunteers ... but in reality the number who are actively volunteering is more like 70 and they need YOUR help.  Please engage or re-engage with Sanctuary, renew your background check, get caught up on training, and start actively volunteering at least once a month.  We have volunteers in Eliot Hall after both services ready to answer your questions and to help you engage or re-engage with Sanctuary.

• VOLUNTEER:  To volunteer to become a Sanctuary Host, sign up at: https://slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary%C2%A0">https://slcuu.org/programs/sanctuary 
• BACKGROUND CHECK: (New and Renew) Consent:   http://tinyurl.com/UUBCKT">http://tinyurl.com/UUBCKT  - $15 donation – All Sanctuary Volunteers need to get their background checks upgraded/renewed
• SANCTUARY TRAINING: Complete the training survey to let us know what days/times work for you: survey is included in the Background Check Consent form linked above 
• DONATE:  Online donations to the Sanctuary Family Fund may be made at:  https://slcuu.org/sanctuary-fund, To donate by check, make check payable to:  First Unitarian Church of SLC, and write: Sanctuary Family Fund in the note. You can also donate through the GIVELIFY app, just check the Sanctuary Family Fund..  

YOUNG ADULTS: A community of people in their 20's, 30's, or young at heart. See all of our upcoming events on Facebook: First Unitarian SLC Young Adults, or email us to receive notifications via email: , or you can reach out to Heather Drenckhahn

It’s summertime, and the living may be easy, but can anyone find a vacation escape that isn’t overcrowded? Where did all these people come from who fill our national parks? Getting in is like lining up for a Taylor Swift concert? You need to apply for a seat on a bus that will take you through the park. The great outdoors are apparently not great enough to accommodate the masses who want to pour into them. 

The beaches along both coasts are so crowded the fish don’t go there anymore. Restaurants in downtown areas need reservations two weeks in advance. Recently I got the last bed in all of Winnemucca, Nevada. Not exactly a hotspot for tourist attractions. Ten motels had no vacancies. I finally got to one where the clerk said he had one room left. After I said I’d take it, he asked: “Do you want to see it?” As new people entered the lobby heading to the desk I screamed, “no,” just give me the room. He did, and I’m still thinking about whether or not I should have seen it first.

Broadway theaters are so full they’re commanding 4-digit ticket prices. Our own Salt Lake Acting Company is running out of season tickets. You can’t get a camping reservation in a state park. Where are all these people coming from and why are they all on the move?

Last week I learned that it was so crowded at the summit of Mt. Everest, you have to wait hours in a line, standing chest to chest on an icy ridge just inches away from a several-thousand-foot drop. Mind you, this is the most challenging mountain to climb in the world, which had already seen ten fatalities just this year. Scrambling up the 29,000-foot summit where you better have a good set of lungs if you hope to breathe, people (literally) step over dead bodies to get to the top and take a selfie before heading down. If Mt. Everest suffers from too many tourists, I can’t imagine a place in the world to go for that luscious sensation of solitude. Experiencing aloneness is at a premium, but you better book early if you want to find it at a Zen retreat center for a week of silence and meditation. And all you do there is look at a wall. It’s probably too late to do that for this summer.

Don’t get me wrong. I like people. My professional life is about people. But there’s a time I look forward to in the summer to just get away from crowds, noise, smells, lines, and exorbitant prices. My refuge in Bolinas now has wall-to-wall surfers. Who told them about Bolinas? I can’t even run away to Kathmandu anymore without having to endure masses of people. I wonder, are they all looking for solitude? If so, where does one go besides hiding in a closet at home. 

So it’s summertime and the living is easy. But don’t count on going anywhere unless you are drawn to long lines. So you might as well come to church during our Summer Forum program. But arrive early for the 10:00a.m. service. I hear its filling up. TRG