Our Mountain Desert District...we are here to stay.

I had the opportunity to attend the Mountain Desert District Assembly last weekend - 250 or so Unitarian Universalists together for talking, sharing, worshipping, dancing, and learning, it was exciting! What I loved most were the conversations in the halls, over dinner, in the workshops about life and what we had in common. I was continually reminded of our common humanity...We participated in a public witness for Marriage Equality outside the convention center and were reminded of the isolation and difficulty of living in a conservative or "not fully welcoming" community. As we drove the hundreds of miles to get to Grand Junction, I was reminded of the sheer distance between so many of us and the added importance of such gatherings to bring us together. These district assemblies remind us of our connection with each other as Unitarian Universalists and of our importance in the larger society. We need to stand on the side of love in whatever ways we can. Every day, in all we do. If we are here to stay then we need to come together and use our common voice for justice. Our voice of liberal religious freedom and all-inclusive love is so needed today, in these communities of the Western US and around the globe.