March 2023

Each year the Rev. Chuck and Nancy Thomas Scholarship supports a student in the first year of seminary or in preparatory academic work for seminary training.

To apply, applicants must email a completed application along with two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a two to three page essay that describes their path to seminary, highlighting their work as a lay leader in their congregation and in the larger community.

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Question: What advice would you give to people who want to make writing a spiritual practice?

Atena: I would say, do exactly that: practice. In my own life, I’ve spent a lot of time not writing because I was sure that I did not have time to write. AND I have written something almost every day for the past two years (and these have NOT been an easy couple of years). There are days where I didn’t get to it or days where I wrote two sentences, and that’s fine. Those low-quantity days kept me in the game. Committing to doing it and opening myself up to receive what the practice offers worked wonders for me. Practice tunes you in and reinforces the energy you put toward it.

Q: What Black writer or book by a Black author is inspiring you right now and why?

Atena: Right now, I am digging into Ross Gay’s “Inciting Joy,” and it is exactly what I need! The way he gets to joy by respecting sorrow is profound heart work. I also just finished Ashley C. Ford’s memoir, “Somebody’s Daughter,” and I’ve never read a memoir that resonated with me like that one did! Highly recommend it!

BLUU’s online worship services are Black Sacred Space in their entirety – by and for Black people, with the words and voices of Black folks across the diaspora – and we hope that Black UUs and Black UU-adjacent folks (who share our values) from far and wide will join us!

For our non-Black siblings in faith, please DO share this invitation with Black folks in your life and community. Getting the word out about BLUU’s gatherings and other programming is one powerful way of lending your support, and we deeply appreciate it!

For all of our services, feel free to come into our BLUU Zoom Room as early as 15 minutes before the start of the service to get settled, say hello to the folks who are already gathering, and listen to the music softly playing as we all prepare for our time together.

Sign up for worship here: https://bit.ly/3wYfnjb.