Weekly letters from Rev. Tara Humphries, written between Sundays since 2022.https://a2u2.org/en-ushttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-18-good-hard-holy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-18-good-hard-holy/It has been a busy week as we approach the end of our program year at A2U2.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-09-may-beauty-find-and-uplift-you/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-09-may-beauty-find-and-uplift-you/We completed the formal “work” of the church program year on Sunday in our Annual Meeting, where you unanimously passed the fiscal year 2027 budget and…Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-05-happy-pride-month-2/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-05-happy-pride-month-2/And a very happy Pride Month to us all.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-28-the-highlights-of-june/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-28-the-highlights-of-june/I hope you’re well today in this busy time of wrapping things up and looking ahead while also yearning for a summer rest.Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-21-it-has-been-a-week-of-joy-and-sorrow-woven-fine/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-21-it-has-been-a-week-of-joy-and-sorrow-woven-fine/Members and friends,Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-14-together-we-tell-the-story-of-this-church/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-14-together-we-tell-the-story-of-this-church/I have been immersed in reflection this week on the past year of our shared ministry.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-07-celebrating-mothers-day/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-07-celebrating-mothers-day/Members and friends,Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-29-you-belong/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-29-you-belong/I hope you enjoyed the sunshine the early week brought.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-22-enjoying-this-spring-break-week/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-22-enjoying-this-spring-break-week/I missed you last Sunday and hope you are well and enjoying this “Spring Break” week if you are someone for whom that is relevant!Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-17-self-differentiated-leadership-being-separate-but-still-connected/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-17-self-differentiated-leadership-being-separate-but-still-connected/This note is making its way to you as I wrap up an overnight in New Hampshire for the UU Minister’s Association Northern New England Chapter spring…Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-09-to-be-a-resurrection-people-we-must-write-the-story-of-our-shared-life/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-09-to-be-a-resurrection-people-we-must-write-the-story-of-our-shared-life/Members and friends,Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-01-let-us-be-a-people-of-resurrection-who-rise-again-and-again/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-01-let-us-be-a-people-of-resurrection-who-rise-again-and-again/A2U2 community-Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-25-blessed-are-the-peacemakers/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-25-blessed-are-the-peacemakers/Members and friends,Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-19-may-you-find-a-moment-of-peace-in-the-storm/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-19-may-you-find-a-moment-of-peace-in-the-storm/In the coming day or so, based on the sighting of the new moon, Muslims in our Portland community and around the world will begin the celebration of Eid,…Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-12-there-is-holiness-in-the-waiting-in-the-mud/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-12-there-is-holiness-in-the-waiting-in-the-mud/As always I hope this finds you healthy and well.Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-05-be-kind-to-yourself-and-enjoy-the-sunshine/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-05-be-kind-to-yourself-and-enjoy-the-sunshine/A2U2 community,Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-26-reflecting-on-an-ecological-process-called-coastal-upwelling/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-26-reflecting-on-an-ecological-process-called-coastal-upwelling/A2U2 Community,Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-18-ash-wednesday-video-message/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-18-ash-wednesday-video-message/A2U2 Community-Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-12-anam-cara/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-12-anam-cara/Before the snow and clouds this week, we had sunshine.Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-05-the-first-stirrings-of-spring/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-05-the-first-stirrings-of-spring/Members and friends,Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-20-the-call-to-show-up-to-our-upcoming-potluck/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-20-the-call-to-show-up-to-our-upcoming-potluck/I am still uplifted from a wonderful weekend of community with you.Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-16-connection-with-the-worlds-suffering-and-joy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-16-connection-with-the-worlds-suffering-and-joy/It has been what I call a week… There’s a whole lot of the world’s heaviness to hold at the moment and a very busy community to keep up with!Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-15-we-are-back-in-full-swing-with-all-things-a2u2-after-a-holiday-break/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-15-we-are-back-in-full-swing-with-all-things-a2u2-after-a-holiday-break/Members and friends,Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-19-winter-solstice-in-the-depths-of-december/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-19-winter-solstice-in-the-depths-of-december/A2U2 members and friends, on this Thursday morning.Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-11-celebrating-the-courage-we-each-have-as-we-answer-loves-call/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-11-celebrating-the-courage-we-each-have-as-we-answer-loves-call/Blessings to you this Thursday morning!Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-04-what-do-you-fear-insisting-on-hope-this-advent/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-04-what-do-you-fear-insisting-on-hope-this-advent/December greetings to you!Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-11-26-blessings-to-you-on-this-day-of-gratitude/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-11-26-blessings-to-you-on-this-day-of-gratitude/Blessings to you on this day of gratitude and celebration of abundance and harvest.Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-30-we-must-keep-our-hearts-soft-and-open-to-stay-human/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-30-we-must-keep-our-hearts-soft-and-open-to-stay-human/A blessed Samhain and Halloween to you and your families tomorrow evening!Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-22-a-season-of-loss-and-remembering-to-live/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-22-a-season-of-loss-and-remembering-to-live/We’re nearing the season where the veil between the living and the dead is said to be thinnest.Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-15-we-are-in-the-thick-of-fall/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-15-we-are-in-the-thick-of-fall/As I write this note, my partner is in the kitchen chopping up a pumpkin for cooking.Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-08-how-do-we-hold-onto-our-humanity/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-08-how-do-we-hold-onto-our-humanity/We have a full weekend ahead of us at A2U2 and I wish those of you who are traveling for the long weekend well!Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-19-what-role-does-risk-play-in-our-lives/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-19-what-role-does-risk-play-in-our-lives/I hope this note finds you well.Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-08-27-change-is-hard-and-possible/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-08-27-change-is-hard-and-possible/I am back to work from my summer time away and re-entering the life of our community.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-25-may-the-rhythms-of-summer-be-a-balm-to-you/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-25-may-the-rhythms-of-summer-be-a-balm-to-you/May this note find you cool and content somewhere on the other side of the heat wave.Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-19-today-let-us-celebrate-freedom/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-19-today-let-us-celebrate-freedom/A2U2 friends,Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-12-how-to-carry-on-when-the-systems-are-so-broken-and-the-pain-is-so-immense/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-12-how-to-carry-on-when-the-systems-are-so-broken-and-the-pain-is-so-immense/Blessings to you on this summery Thursday.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-03-we-will-celebrate-in-love-acceptance-and-joy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-03-we-will-celebrate-in-love-acceptance-and-joy/dear ones, and a blessed beginning to this Pride Month!Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-29-how-has-transformation-shaped-your-journey/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-29-how-has-transformation-shaped-your-journey/I hope you had a fabulous long weekend and enjoyed the summer weather!Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-22-nourishment-resilience/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-22-nourishment-resilience/Pictured above is a classic image of May in Maine… a big pile of wild foraged fiddleheads.Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-14-our-faith-is-about-being-human-together/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-14-our-faith-is-about-being-human-together/May this find you well.Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-08-listening-for-the-question/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-08-listening-for-the-question/A2U2 friends-Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-03-come-skeptics-some-seekers-come-marchers-and-laborers/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-03-come-skeptics-some-seekers-come-marchers-and-laborers/And a blessed Beltane to those who honor the seasons and cycles of the Earth.Sat, 03 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-24-learning-growth-and-queer-joy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-24-learning-growth-and-queer-joy/I am wishing you, a few days belated, a blessed Earth Day!Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-stories-can-be-true-whether-they-happen-or-not/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-stories-can-be-true-whether-they-happen-or-not/Passover, Holy Week, and Easter are upon us (Chag Pesach Sameach to those who observe!).Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-we-need-one-another/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-we-need-one-another/Members and friends,Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-04-what-is-it-you-plan-to-do-with-your-one-wild-and-precious-life/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-04-what-is-it-you-plan-to-do-with-your-one-wild-and-precious-life/April is upon us!Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-28-where-does-praise-show-up-in-your-life/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-28-where-does-praise-show-up-in-your-life/May this note find you well as the snow melts yet again and we find ourselves back to mud season.Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-22-it-is-a-miracle-to-stay-soft-in-a-harsh-world/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-22-it-is-a-miracle-to-stay-soft-in-a-harsh-world/May this spring weather find you as well as can be.Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-14-believe-in-the-work-we-are-doing-together/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-14-believe-in-the-work-we-are-doing-together/My Between Sundays note arrives late this week, as it wasn’t until Thursday evening that I had a chance to sit down at the keyboard.Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-07-the-three-great-prayers/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-03-07-the-three-great-prayers/And many blessings to you as we enter the month of March!Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT