Our annual Ingathering service is the start of our church year. As is our custom, we will bring water from our journeys throughout the past year to pour into a communal bowl. During this meaningful time, we ask that you acknowledge that our journeys are varied as you prepare to share your water stories. Some of us travelled thousands of miles, and some went “out back.” Some of us gathered water from roiling rapids, and some shook that last drop from the backyard hose. Some of us gathered water at large family functions while some gathered water sliding off a leaf after an afternoon rain. What our gathered waters have in common, however, is that it touched us in a deeper, spiritual way. So, over this next week, in preparation for the sharing of gathered waters, consider the meaning your water has for you. In the next issue of the Week Ahead, we will suggest categories where your water journey might fit with others’ journeys, bringing our community even closer together.

We will plan to take the Annual AUUF Congregational Portrait at the end of this service.