Throughout our history — the country and its religious movement — we have been seeking sanctuary and security.  We have sought to form a “more perfect union” and a more authentic mode of worship that creates sanctuary and even makes our sanctuary more inclusive.

While these ventures have provided sanctuary and enabled our movement to grow, it was at the expense of the indigenous people of our land.  This is especially important to address today given that so many people of America’s indigenous heritages have been forced to leave their land of origin due to violence and struggle, while dealing with xenophobia, poverty, and environmental threats.

So, what is next? How do we continue to build sanctuary given the history we inherit?  What is the “spiritual ecology” of our sanctuaries?  How does this help spread sanctuary in these difficult times, where the concept of sanctuary becomes more and more elusive?  I don’t have the answers but look forward to exploring these questions with you.

Brian Snow is a Candidate for Ministerial Fellowship with the UUA.  He is an interfaith chaplain for a D’Youville Life and Wellness Community, a nursing care organization that provides everything from senior independent living to total memory care.  D’Youville also provides assisted living, as well as post-acute care and rehabilitation.  Before living in Massachusetts, Brian lived Lancaster PA where he graduated from the Lancaster Theological Seminary.  He also is a musician and father of two brilliant and conscientious teenagers ages 16 and 14.

Award-winning cellist Ignacy Gaydamovich (pictured above) is an active soloist, recitalist, teacher, chamber musician, researcher, and a recording artist.  Dr. Gaydamovich regularly performs in Europe, Lebanon, Japan, and the United States and is a recipient of multiple awards from Austrian, American, and Polish institutions.  He is a founding member of the Atlas Piano Trio, the principal cellist of the Boston Chamber Orchestra, and has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at various universities throughout the US, including Mount Holyoke College.  Ignacy organized the first Amherst Cello Camp in June 2017, is the director of Amherst Art Academy, and also teaches locally at the Indian Hill Music School.