Another Earth Day approaches, but with the pandemic into its 3rd year, deep social fissures, and the effects of climate change upon us in the form of fires and floods, many of us may not be taking much notice, leave alone feeling like celebrating. In fact, many proclaim that we should abandon all hope. But religions at the best are about cultivating faith, even in difficult circumstances. Unitarian Universalism in particular evolved as an answer to questions about doom and separation. We answered that salvation is for everyone, and a common love binds us all, Hallelujah! Today we celebrate that tradition, pondering the power of hope and how it must be the foundation on which we effectively respond to climate change.

The Rev. Sally Beth Stone Shore grew up in central NC, graduated from the University of North Carolina, and joined the US Peace Corps as a forestry volunteer in Mali. She was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 2013 after receiving her M.Div (2012) from Meadville Lombard Theological School. Shore also holds an MS in Environmental Science from UNC (1994.) She is in final fellowship with the UUA and has served 6 UU congregations, most recently Brevard, NC, where she was interim minister 2019-20. Currently she consults as a professional Appreciative Inquiry facilitator and trainer and is finishing a masters degree in Organizational Development from Case Western Reserve University.
She views ministry as a natural extension and expansion of her environmentalism–practicing love for the earth and its inhabitants. Other loves are gardening, bicycling, music, her husband of 30 years, and their 3 adult children. You can find her blogposts at https://heartofwaraba.com/hope/

For information about attending in person, links to Zoom login info, Sunday’s Order of Service, Online Giving and more click here –> linktr.ee/uulacrosse