Spring Has Sprung & It is Time to Celebrate 40 Years of CUUPS!
For many of us, it was a very long winter! Here in New England, the snowbanks grew higher than in recent years. In some ways, the shock of dealing with mountains of snow felt like how many things in life have felt over the last year in the world. Dealing with unpleasant world affairs, remembering that we have what it takes to rise above unpleasant circumstances, and finding our resolve to resist what can feel like one oppressive moment after another.
I kept leaning into stories of my ancestors and the times in their lives when they had to muster courage, think boldly, and find ways to push through unforeseen situations. Remembering their stories kept reminding me to keep my head high and to raise my voice when injustices felt overwhelming to watch or listen to.
The CUUPS Board meetings were like a salve on a weary soul as they, a small group of wonderful volunteers, began planning for the CUUPS 40th Birthday year and how to reflect this milestone in our GA programming and plan a gathering for members to celebrate.
Some of you have asked, “What is this Convocation thing?” Well…Convocation is a gathering that CUUPS has had in the past. In the early years, there was one every year that moved to various regions of the country. Then, due to a lack of volunteers, it came to a halt and started again in 2016 when the book “Pagan and Earth-centered Voices of Unitarian Universalist Pagans” was released. Amazingly, that was ten years ago this coming June.
Victoria Yanovich, the CUUPS Engagement Liaison, has built a team to create the event. Alongside her, we have put together a great list of speakers who bring a Pagan perspective to events happening in the world today and to ways to better serve our congregations and chapters, as well as to learn for our own nourishment.
So, to celebrate all that it has taken our volunteers and the difference CUUPS has made in the UUA and the broader Pagan community, we are having a big party and a UU Pagan gathering that all are welcome to!
Mark your calendars for July 24-26, 2026, at First Church in Salem, Massachusetts! This city turns 400 years old the weekend after Convocation, and First Church turns 397. It seems a fitting place to honor our place in UUism to celebrate in the church whose congregants were at the epicenter of the Salem Witch Trials.
Keep reading as we share more information to help you get registered!
Blessed Be,
Rev. Jerrie Hildebrand
CUUPS President & Communications Liaison |
