This Sunday, River Road UU Congregation and the UU Congregation of Fairfax will join for a shared online Sunday morning experience that invites us to both speak of what our country can be and act to help bring it toward our highest aspirations.

The 4th of July is a time to celebrate America, but also to commit to it in ways that perhaps we have never done before. In the timeless words of Langston Hughes:

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

And so – this Sunday, we’ll commit in some small or large way to bring about the country that we dream of, the country that never fully was, and the country that yet can be. Previous to our time together, we’ll distribute an Action Plan that you can use to personally choose one single action YOU can do during this week of America’s birthday. Together, we’ll simply gather on Zoom to read Hughes’ poem, offer a blessing, and break out into small groups to share the commitments we are making and the dreams we still dream. More information to follow – for now, know that we are grateful and blessed to say some truths and to do our work together.