Each month we feature a spiritual theme (see below) which we weave into Sunday worship, Religious Exploration and many of our small groups and gatherings. Each month’s theme is also highlighted in the aesthetic elements of the sanctuary. We send out the theme resources found here (eadings, spiritual exercises, and reflection questions) in an monthly worship email so you can explore the theme on your own or with your family members and friends. These theme resources come from the Soul Matters Sharing Circle,  a UU theme-based program with more than 140 UU subscribers.

Social Justice Monthly Plate Partners

Each month we introduce our Plate Partner , an organization whose work and mission are connected with our UU social justice mission and values. Rev. Sara and the Social Justice Council often explore additional opportunities through collaborative programming (ex: book discussion, arts opportunity, issue forum, workshop etc). For more information about the plate partners below, please visit our plate partner webpage.

December 2025 Spiritual Theme:

Welcome to Choosing Hope   

Faith, wherever it develops into hope, causes not rest but unrest, not patience but impatience. It does not calm the unquiet heart, but is itself this unquiet heart in [all of us]. Those who hope… can no longer put up with reality as it is, but begin to suffer under it, to contradict it. [It] means conflict with the world, for the goad of the promised future stabs inexorably into the flesh of every unfulfilled present.”

– Jürgen Moltmann, Theologian

It’s not always easy to hear well this time of year, especially when it comes to hope. The dominant messages are about hope offering us calm: “The light will return.” “A new day is on its way.” “Justice and joy are growing in the womb and will soon be born.” Hope, from this point of view, is a voice that reassures. It’s a welcomed whisper that says, “Yes, the sky may be dark now. Yes, the road you’re on at this moment may be hard. But trust me, just over that horizon, there’s a new world waiting for us all.”

This soothing message comes to us as a gift. During dark days, we all get tired. The fruits of our efforts are hard to see. The cold seems to have set in deep. We feel small, and alone. So, the promise that things will change offers us relief. We are released from the burden of believing that “it is all up to me” or that it all must be solved now.

Plate Partner: Agency for New Americans (ANA)

Agency for New Americans (ANA) helps refugees in Idaho achieve self-sufficiency in their new lives by providing the skills, education, and support necessary during their resettlement period.

Agency for New Americans (ANA) is a refugee resettlement Agency working collaboratively with the community to welcome new Americans home to Idaho. Our mission, vision, and values guide our team to provide services to the new Americans we work with. 

Mission

Our mission is to improve the educational, social and economic well-being of new Americans and the communities in which they live by creating individual, agency and public/private partnerships.

Vision

Our vision is to honor the journey and tremendous strengths of new Americans. We strive to be the leader in preparing diverse people and communities to overcome the challenges of an ever-changing world. 

Our Values

​Agency for New American’s values are important because they not only provide a purpose for our team to work toward but also inspire our clients. These values guide our organization to our goals:

Trust, Integrity, Personal Renewal, Continuous Improvement, Leadership that Serves, Dignity of the Individual, and Economic Independence.