Hello All,

It was just over two years ago when I had the profound opportunity to travel to Scotland as part of a sabbatical. I went there to deepen my understanding of Celtic Christianity while on retreat on the Isle of Iona, to walk many miles of the Scottish landscape on the West Highland Way, and to visit my ancestral homelands. My weeks traveling through the histories and natural beauty of Scotland were life-altering and spirit-awakening. 

Since I was a child, my mother told me stories about our family connection to the land and history of Scotland, a homeland she has never had the chance to visit. To travel to Scotland has been a long held dream of both of my parents. As I was driving around Scotland two years ago, I made the commitment to return someday soon with my parents for two reasons:

1. As I watch my parents enter into the later part of their 7th decade, I have been reminded that life is precious and all together too brief to not manifest whatever dreams when possible. 
2. The thought of them figuring out how to drive on the left-hand side, frankly, terrified me. It’s a steep learning curve! Plus, the sheep have no respect for on-coming traffic.

I am incredibly grateful to share that I will be traveling to Scotland on May 27 to meet my parents in Edinburgh for a few days before we rent a car and adventure through the Highlands and to Orkney Island. We will be tracing some of the footpaths I walked two years ago. 

This does mean I will miss some of the important rituals we do each spring to close out the church year. I will be away for both Flower Communion (Sunday, June 2) and our Annual Congregational Meeting (Sunday, June 9). However, I will be back well in time to celebrate Rev. Jon Luopa’s long ministry at UUC on June 16.

I am so grateful to have this chance to travel with my parents for a couple of weeks while Jon is still with us to hold down the ship. I look forward to celebrating with the community when I return. Being one of your ministers is a great blessing. 

Wish me luck on those roads!

~ Rev. Beth