The Waning Year: Weariness and Summer’s Promise
As the church year winds down, I am ready for a rest and suspect many of you are, too. It’s
not just the exhaustion of packed calendars or relentless responsibilities—it’s the spiritual
tiredness that comes from pouring so much into the world while trying to keep one’s own
cup from running dry. It’s the kind of fatigue that feels bone-deep, like the weight of all the
world’s problems leaning in for solace.
There’s something uniquely challenging about the end of the congregational year. The
journey feels long when you consider the holiday rush, the height of the Season, the
multiple celebrations of Auction events, and the busy lead-up to the Annual Meeting. Each
season has its own beauty, but it also has its own demands. By the time we arrive at this
point in the year, perhaps the culmination of all these seasons and their emotional
intensity has begun to weigh heavy on you.
For clergy, lay leaders, and active members, this weariness can manifest as something
else: touchiness. When the soul is worn thin, the smallest of irritants can seem
insurmountable. The slip-ups in worship service, the miscommunication in committee
meetings, and the minor grievances that arise between people can all feel amplified. And
this touchiness isn’t confined to the UUCOV campus; it seeps into daily life. A short temper
at home and a hint of frustration in ordinary encounters are signs that you are ready for a
break!
But this is not a lament. It’s a recognition of an essential truth: we are human, and our work
in the congregation, though sacred, is carried out with very human hearts and hands. We
bear witness to joys and sorrows, carry the burdens of community, and in doing so, we
sometimes forget to tend to ourselves. So, if you find yourself tired, touchy, and longing for
a reprieve, you are not alone. You are not failing; you are simply reaching the end of an
important rhythm.
And even in this weariness, there is hope. The congregational year is winding down, and
visible, though still in the distance, the summer awaits with its promise of renewal. The
long daylight hours invite us to linger, savor, and rest, whether we go North to escape the
heat or stay here to enjoy the slower pace of the hotter months.
For some, summer means fewer meetings, less busyness, and a chance to declutter both
the desk and the mind. It’s the perfect time to reimagine what next year might hold. It’s an
opportunity to dream up ways to infuse fresh energy into ministries, to think creatively
about engaging the community, and to rebuild a deeper personal connection with our
beliefs.
For others, summer provides the chance to step outside and let creation speak to the
weary soul. The rustling of leaves, the warmth of the sun, the waves on the beach—these
simple joys can be surprisingly restorative. Creation’s embrace is healing and a balm for
the tired spirit.
For still others, summer might bring space to reflect on the joy that’s been present all
along—even in the busiest days of the congregational year. Sometimes, we need the quiet
lull of summer to remember how meaningful our work truly is. There’s an unmatched
beauty in witnessing someone’s spiritual growth or in seeing the fruits of ministry touch
lives in profound ways. Even amidst weariness, joy is always there, waiting to be noticed.
So, as you stand on the brink of summer, weary and perhaps a little touchy, take heart. The
same beloved community who walked with you through the busy times now beckons you to
come and rest. Just as the earth requires seasons of planting and harvesting, followed by
seasons of dormancy, our souls require the rhythm of work and renewal.
Let summer be a sanctuary for your spirit. Make space to listen deeply, to dream boldly, to
laugh wholeheartedly, and to rest unapologetically. Let summer give you hope—not just for
its sunshine and slower pace, but for the renewal of strength that it brings.
For even in our weariness, we are held. Even in our touchiness, we are loved. And even as
the congregational year winds down, we are given the hope of seasons yet to come.
Thank you for all the amazing work you have done over this last congregational year;
UUCOV is an incredible place filled with incredible people.

Be Blessed!

Rev. Amy