At this year's annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Association (which happened just before General Assembly in June) an historic vote was taken. We accepted a change to our code of professional conduct to reflect a commitment to the highest of standards with regard to maintaining appropriate boundaries in our relationships with those we serve. It's been a long road to get to this change.
 
I was not able to attend our UU General Assembly because it fell on the week of Caleb's graduation from high school. Even as I was enjoying important family time, it was hard for me to miss all the goings-on. I missed connecting with colleagues, worshiping with rousing music and inspiring words, learning and participating in the democratic process. I am so grateful that much of what happens at GA is now available online. It means I can catch up. And also that you can also hear great preaching and inspiring lectures at uua.org.
 
I was especially disappointed to miss the UUMA annual meeting. I have been among a group of clergy working for many years to make our professional code of conduct more explicit about sexual misconduct. So on the morning of the meeting, I got a cup of tea, set up my comfortable desk chair in front of my computer and joined the meeting virtually. This was the first time I'd had this kind of experience of being in community. The people in the room did not know I was there. (Except for a few I was texting with ... ) But all of us who were attending online were able to talk with one another, ask questions and celebrate what was happening.
 
I was surprised at the depth of connection that was possible through this kind of "attendance." It reassured me of the value of the work we are doing to create different ways for people to connect with UUCF. In the next weeks you may well see some new A/V equipment being installed in our Sanctuary both to improve the experience for those in the room and also to extend our reach to those who can't be there in person Stay tuned ...

Yours,
Mary Katherine