I am here because I belong here. I feel seen and I feel heard.

My husband, Craig, and I joined UU Concord in the fall of 2023, though my journey with Unitarian Universalism began about a decade ago.

I was raised Catholic, but while going through a divorce, I began to re-evaluate my relationship with God and my core beliefs. I realized the Catholic Church was no longer the right place for me. Craig, on the other hand, grew up in the UU faith. Together, we went “church shopping,” exploring different denominations before landing at the UU Church in Nashua—the same church where Craig was raised. We have three children. While our older two wanted nothing to do with any church, our youngest, Asher, joined us willingly and regularly. Asher became deeply involved in the OWL (Our Whole Lives) program, built strong connections with other youth, and eventually worked as a childcare provider during services. As Asher grew roots, so did I. I joined the Community Dinner program, the Membership Team, and various Covenant Groups. During our time in Nashua, Asher learned the importance of becoming one’s authentic self and eventually came out as transgender. I have learned so much from this kid! Throughout that journey, we felt nothing but love and support from the UU community.

In 2020, life shifted. Asher graduated from high school and was headed to college in Portland, Oregon. With Craig working remotely, we began to wonder what our lives as empty nesters might look like. We eventually found our retirement home: a small house in Belmont, NH, on Lake Winnisquam.

While the pandemic allowed us to stay connected to Nashua virtually, I knew I eventually needed to find a UU community closer to home for in-person worship. We went “church shopping” again, visiting congregations in Laconia and Franklin, but neither felt quite right for us. Finally, at the encouragement of our  UU Nashua friends, we checked out UU Concord.

It immediately felt like home. The people were welcoming and engaging, and the programming— especially the music—was amazing. I loved the choir and wondered if I could join, but having no experience, I felt well outside my comfort zone. Then, during a service, Michael announced that the choir was open to everyone, regardless of experience. I felt like he was speaking directly to me. I took a leap of faith and attended a rehearsal. From that first moment, I felt I truly belonged. Since then, I’ve joined the Worship Associates, where we meet monthly to brainstorm themes and come up with “pithy” service titles. I’ve even helped facilitate summer services.

I keep coming back because of the connections and friendships I’ve made through the choir, the Worship Associates, and most recently, pickleball!

Karen Thomas