It has been a joy to be part of this beautiful congregation. Thank you for making me feel so welcomed in your community. It’s a busy time coming into the month of December -- I know. Before I received my call to ministry, I worked for Starbucks Coffee Company and sometimes that was really fun. But towards the end I found myself longing for January -- that time when I could stop thinking about it for the next 10 months.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the anticipation and expectations of the holiday season. It can bring memories of joy and sadness, sometimes in equal measure. It’s important as a community to be tender with each other as we move into winter. I encourage you to take care of yourself. Don’t forget to give yourself a break! Even a short rest can benefit you for the remainder of the day. Part of excellent self-care is also letting others take care of you.
I am so grateful for the care I’ve received at OCUUC in my first months as your intern minister. As we move toward the Solstice, I invite you take in the early arrival of darkness that the late fall brings to get some well-deserved rest. The long dark days aren’t everyone’s favorite, but I like them. Hope you can take this opportunity to wrap yourself in the velvety darkness of the universe with coziness.
Wendy Karn was Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's intern minister from 2023-2025.