Sometimes what seems impossible is entirely — amazingly and inspiringly — possible. This message of possibility is one of the messages of the documentary “We Still Live Here: Âs Nutayuneân,” which tells the story of the restoration of the Native American Wampanoag language.
Centuries after the Wampanoag people survived the arrival of the Pilgrims to New England, there were no native speakers of the Wampanoag language. Then an exceptional member of that tribe, Jessie Little Doe Baird, developed a program to bring back the language of her ancestors. Expert linguists acknowledge that the revival of a dead language like Wampanoag seemed impossible until Jessie joined with other Wampanoag people to reclaim the language that was so central to their culture. Stories of hope and possibility and resilience like this are like miracles in our world and are worth paying attention to and marveling over for the inspiration and strength they can bring us.
The film “We Still Live Here” was featured as part of the Harvest the Power Justice Convergence and Teach-In presented in late November by the UUA, UU Service Committee (UUSC), and UU Ministry for Earth. The Harvest the Power convergence was offered in an effort to further the UU commitment to learn our history and rethink Thanksgiving in the year 2020, which is the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth. The event provided presentations, discussions, and film screenings to ground, inform, and strengthen UU justice and equity work. Also presented during the event was the important film “The Condor and the Eagle,” which was scheduled to be screened here in Pensacola in Spring 2020 but had to be cancelled as we became aware of the COVID virus.
Speaking of COVID, the Board is reviewing the recongregation survey results from our Members and Friends as well as UUA recommendations and is considering how and when to safely gather in person. However, just as the Board began to look at these things, infection numbers skyrocketed to the point that the virus is more prevalent now than when we first closed the church building earlier this year. We are hopeful that news of immunizations and other measures will bring better days in Spring 2021 and safer conditions for in-person events.
December is the final month in what has been an unusual year. Many of us have been joking for months about wanting this year to come to an end. However, we know that many of the issues we have encountered this year will not evaporate with 2021. Still, a new year and new calendar does seem to bring the feel of a fresh start. Here are some of the exciting and worthwhile things the Board and others are working on for the coming year.
Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan Committee is planning events and activities to collect congregational input for updating our strategic plan. Goals related to our Mission Statement and a UUCP Vision Statement are expected to be part of the new Strategic Plan. Committee members are Carol Trotter (Co-Chair) and Linda Cobb (Co-Chair and Board Representative), Jack Comstock (Board Rep), Barbara Goggins, Emma Mulvaney, and Bradley Vinson.
Midyear Congregational Meeting
Our annual midyear meeting is scheduled at 12:30pm on Sunday, Jan. 24, and will be virtual with Zoom log-in and call-in info to be distributed closer to that date. We encourage all Members and Friends to attend the congregational meeting. Reports on our finances, strategic plan, recongregation plan, and the work of our Ministry Teams will be presented. I am looking forward to our continued walk together in 2021.
Until next time,
Lauren Anzaldo
Board President