Our theme for this years worship calendar is Deepening Roots, Spreading Branches. To use the metaphor of a tree, we have very deep taproots that continue to sustain us since the founding of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island in 1852, and the centuries-old history of Unitarianism and Universalism. Through our mission and vision, we extend ourselves beyond the roots of our family tree to the branches that spread out in all directions.

These far-reaching branches call us to engage in advocacy, charitable work, education, legislative concerns, and social witness as members of one human family and part of the interdependent web of all life. Though it seems simple, our theme for the worship year gives us an opportunity to dig deep into the core of Unitarian Universalism and the experience of what it means to be justice seekers and meaning makers in the 21^st century.

- Rev. Susan Karlson

According to my Letter of Agreement with the congregation, I have four weeks of Study Leave every year to read, study, plan for services and events for the coming year as well as for spiritual renewal. This year, I will take June 28^th through July 25^th as Study Leave.  I will be physically out of the area from July 18-25^th and will make sure to provide emergency pastoral coverage during that time.  Alan and I plan to take Thursday and Friday off for vacation on July 1-2 and 8-9^th when we will be physically away.  I will be back working regularly the last week in July and then on vacation the first week in August. I will be back at the church for all the rest of August except for a couple of long weekends Alan and I will take as vacation and to go with a leadership team to the Unitarian Universalist Leadership Training Institute (UULTI) from August26-29^th.

I can be reached by cell phone (347 466-0864) for emergencies at any time except from July 18-25^th when another minister will cover for me.