Welcome to a new church and academic year! This is often a time of re-starting yearly schedules after a summer break. We might be restarting school or coming back to work after a vacation.

At TPUUF, it means that I will be leading worship more often, and that we will be once again using ministry themes. We join with many congregations in framing worship and religious education around shared themes (from Soul Matters). Themes give us a framework so the amazingly abundant questions of life can be approached in “bite-sized” steps. This framing also provides a sense of depth, where we can take a month to delve into specific spiritual topics.

Here are the ministry themes for 2026/27:

• September: Beginnings
• October: Courage
• November: Healing
• December: Awe
• January: Thresholds
• February: Commitment
• March: Balance
• April: Emergence
• May: Play
• June: Horizons

I am going to continue to offer spiritual practices for each month, designed as an entry point to help embody each topic. These are always invitations and you are welcome to engage with the spiritual practices as you are able or interested. The spiritual practice for September is do a new beginnings ritual. We are constantly beginning something: new relationship, different job, a beginning we desire or fear, the start and renewal of the season or each day… Your task is to mark a beginning in your life. Here is a website with reflections on beginning and many good rituals.

I’m excited to begin this church year with you, and I look forward to hear about the fresh starts you have in your life. I can be contacted via phone (412-327-3731), e-mail or in person at TPUUF (Thursdays, Sundays I preach, and other times by appointment).

Beginning again,
Rev. Andrew L. Weber