On February 15, UU Amherst took important steps in our covenant renewal journey through worship and
conversation. In the service, we reflected on covenant as resilience, exploring how a strong covenant is
the structure that holds, strengthens, and allows us to belong. We honored the covenant crafted ten years ago and named how our world, our congregation, and our broader Unitarian Universalist values have shifted since then. We shared the “word cloud” included in this article, featuring words from our July Covenant sermon, beautifully arranged in an artful and evocative way. The process of renewal is well underway!

At the post-service gathering, participants reflected on words from our existing covenant, explored what feels deeply lived and what remains aspirational, and began shaping new language around three guiding questions:

• How will we be together?
• How will we live our values beyond our walls?
• When harm occurs, how will we repair?

The energy in the room was thoughtful and hopeful. There was a shared recognition that covenant offers not just warmth: it offers structure, accountability, and practice.

Now we widen the circle.

All are invited to participate in the next phase of conversation:

• Zoom conversation the evening of Tuesday, March 25
  Online input opportunity (announcement coming soon)

Whether you attended on February 15th or are just joining the process, your voice matters. Covenant is not written for us … it is written by us, reflecting our shared promises and aspirations of how we will be together. Let’s continue shaping who we are becoming, together.

P.S. If you were not able to attend, check out the February 15th service online!

—Kim Diana Connolly