Author Archive | Ali

This is a special time of year for many people. Late October and early November are sacred times as it denotes the ending of a year. The Celtic tradition of Samhain ends the year at this time with people remembering all who have died, and reflecting on how they want to live their own lives. […]

Greetings beloved community, The only constant in life is change and we have had a lot of it recently. None of it bad, just different, which is to be expected with growth, exploration, and this new season we all find ourselves well into a pandemic. Piedmont UU is poised and ready to continue to both […]

In September the Board of Trustees approved the Meditation/ Memorial Garden Committee to renew the work to plan, fundraise and build a garden behind the sanctuary for the church. The committee, led by Jeff Blum and Anne Laukaitis, reached the point of a final approved plan in 2020 and were interviewing possible contractors when the […]

Greetings members and friends, It’s finally Fall Y’all!!! I love October, when the weather begins to cool, the colors begin to change, and there seems to be a new excitement in my house as Halloween and Christmas begin to approach. I hope this month greets you with time to savor this season of awe that […]

We as a church family are at a moment of great opportunity. We have a new lead minister in Rev. Dr. Amy Rio who brings a wealth of congregational experience and energy to us. Rev. Shakeisha Holton-Gray shares the ministerial team as our Lifespan Education and Community Outreach Director making our ministerial team creative, experienced […]

Piedmont Progressive Preschool (PPP) began its 21st school year in September. For all of those years the school, which enrolls children ages 2 through 5 years, has been housed in the classrooms of the Piedmont UU church building. Director Michele Deese reported that classes are almost fully enrolled. In the week before school began, teachers […]

It has been a pleasure to begin getting to know members of our church community these past few weeks! September and October often mean the beginning of a new year for many of us. For students and teachers and parents and grandparents, the academic year is beginning. Samhain comes at the end of the month. […]

Greetings, PUUC! I am so honored and thrilled to be joining this amazing community. Thank you for providing me this opportunity to be in ministry with you. I look forward to getting to know you, both individually and communally. I believe great things are in store for us in the future, and look forward to […]

First, let me begin by extending my gratitude to Piedmont UU and your support during and for my ordination into UU Ministry. I am now officially a reverend!!! Second, as we welcome Rev. Dr. Amy Rio as our new lead minister, I want to assure you that I am not going anywhere. I will transition […]

Beloved members and friends, I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the weight of the world right now. The past few weeks have been hard and there are times when I find myself wondering, “What’s next?” Living a life of gratitude, compassion, and kindness is hard when the days seem dark, sad, and filled […]