The verdict is in. Today, in Minneapolis, a jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd last May. His bail was revoked, he was put in handcuffs and led to jail to await sentencing in approximately two months. Yes, I was glad. Yet there is… Read More
Reflections from the President
Moving the Threshold
Dear Ones — I am writing to you tonight from my home office — and from liminal space, that territory we encounter as we move from one reality to another. This letter is meant to acquaint you with some of the steps we’ve already taken toward our new reality. I’m pleased to say that Starr… Read More
For Breonna, and Ahmaud, and George, and Sandra, and Eric, and Rekia and….
Dear Ones — I write today to send thoughts of concern and care for all of us in the Starr King community. These past few months have upended all we know, or thought we knew — global pandemics have a way of doing that. I hope that each of you are finding ways to care… Read More
New Year, New Beginnings
Dear Ones, We are rapidly approaching the new year. And so, in that spirit, we have some exciting updates to share with you! The first update is bittersweet. After a review of several options and much reflection, our Board of Trustees has voted to sell our Le Conte Avenue property and to vacate the building… Read More
What Threatens Us Most
Dear Ones — I awoke this morning still in the undertow of last week’s trio of mass murders in Gilroy, CA; El Paso, TX; and Dayton, OH. I wish I were capable of a soothing pastoral response to these tragedies, but I am not. There is much to be said about the contributing factors to… Read More
Hearts Broken Open
Dear Ones— I write today with a heart broken open, as I grieve with our siblings of the Muslim faith throughout the world. The heinous attack that took place in Christchurch New Zealand last Friday, the 50 precious lives lost, the dozens of people wounded while at prayer—all these things feel unspeakable to us. And… Read More
A Message of Solidarity
Dear Ones — I write today in sorrow and in solidarity with all our intersex, gender-fluid, gender non-binary and transgender siblings, wherever they are. The recent article in UU World magazine, “After L, G, and B,” has caused waves of pain, and a sense that, yet again, our siblings are objects of curiosity and sites… Read More
Expanding ECO
Dear Ones: I hope that you’ve all had a blessed and restful summer break! It won’t be long before we are together again. When school was last in session, all of us were deeply affected by the testimony of one of our MASC graduates who spoke about her painful experiences as a black woman at… Read More
A Letter From Rosemary
Dear Ones— Though classes are over, it’s a busy time for us here, as we work to address the painful experiences of students of color at Starr King. I want to thank you for your messages of concern about our graduating student and the circumstances surrounding her decision not to attend commencement ceremonies last week.… Read More
Words for the Weekend
Update: Patriot Prayer rally organizers cancel SF event http://www.ktvu.com/news/276135850-story Dear Ones, As you may have heard, several rallies and counter-protests are scheduled for this weekend in the Bay Area by what we interpret to be right-wing nationalist groups and those who oppose their hateful views. These white nationalist gatherings have a history of violence, including… Read More
