At our Unitarian Universalist congregation in Manchester, summer is a quiet time.  We have simple, small, services on Sunday mornings, led by members of the congregation.  When children come, they either participate in the service or play quietly in the back of the sanctuary.  It's a good time to get acquainted, and we welcome many newcomers at this easy-going, informal time in our church calendar.  Our tradition encourages the minister to take time to study and reflect as well as to have some time for vacation in summer, so in practice, the minister (that would be me) is out of the pulpit in July and August.  I lead a "summer" style service on August 31, but until then, the Summer Services Committee has full charge. The offerings this summer are inspiring. September 7 is our Ingathering, the formal service to begin the Fall season.

We've only been doing services in the summer since 2002, but we're getting the hang of it.  Many Unitarian Universalist congregations -- especially in New England -- had the long practice of  simply closing in July and August.  We still have congregation members who, unless reminded, will say to any and all that we go on "summer shutdown".  Well, no.  But it's a persistent idea.  It used to be that when people asked, "why do you close for the summer?"  the reply would be, "We are the only people God trusts well enough to be allowed to take Sundays off in Summer."  God does trust us, and most of us know that it's all right to take time off when that is the personally right thing to do.  Nobody goes to hell.  Nobody misses out on a chance to go to heaven.  But we are determined in these fast-paced times to be there for the people who need us, regardless of the season.  Come see us!  669 Union Street; www.uumanchester.org.