We welcome back the Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long for another year of mapping with us. After a year of learning together this past church year about the impact of our relationships and work in our community, the Board of Trustees and Rev. Molly are excited to welcome Rev. Jordinn Nelson Long back for another year with us to further deepen this work. Rev. Jordinn will be coming alongside us in a slightly different role as Affiliated Community Minister, an arrangement that makes it easier for her to collaborate with us on our deep mapping work even beyond her research. Jordinn will be with us in September for our All-Congregation retreat on Sept. 19. Please mark your calendars.

From Rev. Jordinn:

Greetings, UUCC! I’m so excited to join you on this second year of adventures together.

My research is taking firmer shape in this season, under the umbrella of “spatial conflict.” This lens is interesting, particularly given that what I am experiencing in our work together is grounded, unfolding relationship, one that for me has brought great joy.

As some of us have explored together in small groups, spatial conflict does not necessarily mean emotional or moral conflict, and indeed spatial conflicts–simply the incommensurable, overlapping use of space by different people or groups and for different purposes–are part of what define the beauty and fun of your shared life at UUCC. But overlapping, incommensurable use of space also invites us to be mindful: about our values, about our impacts on one another, about the histories and resources we inherit, and about the stories we tell.

In the service of this accountable, relational thinking, I am excited and enlivened by our shared theme this year. You are here. We are here.

I can’t wait to resume the journey alongside you, and please feel free to be in touch in the meantime by email.