Susan Spencer Cramer

Susan Spencer Cramer

Hi everyone. I’m Susan Spencer Cramer and I’m so honored to be asked to share a few thoughts about Beacon this morning. My husband Steve and I joined the congregation in 2002, so we are practically life-long members. We joined at the time with our daughter Charlotte. We were looking for a place for her to come to RE. I walked in the door with her that first Sunday expecting to drop her off and I ended up finding a community.

The path to Unitarian Universalism wasn’t as far for me as it was, perhaps, for others in the congregation. I grew up in a Unitarian church in Weston, Massachusetts—the First Parish—and I managed to marry another Unitarian. Steve grew up in River Road Unitarian Church in Bethesda, Maryland.

So we came, we started going to services and were just drawn in; it became a community and a home for us. When I started to think about all the things I’ve done with Beacon over the years, I actually made a list, which is quite long! I was involved in everything from writing press releases, something to do with strategic planning, which I don’t remember, the Lifespan Committee; I taught RE; the Sanctuary Committee. I’ve cooked many dinners for people and did many, many other things over the years, culminating in my service on the board for six years. Now I’m part of Widening the Circle and I’m helping run Neighborhood Beacon, to help address food insecurity, which is a cause that’s close to my heart that I’m enjoying very much.

But what I gave to Beacon pales in comparison to what I got from Beacon and what I still continue to get by being part of this community. When I thought a little about the things that meant so much to me, I flashed onto different memories and different moments. Shortly after my father died in 2005, I was sitting in the sanctuary, and a friend and fellow congregant walked in and put her hand on my shoulder. It just meant so much to me.

I remember chasing around after Albert when he and his mother Victoria were in sanctuary with us a few years ago. He had on a Superman cape that we had given him. We were racing around Fellowship Hall and the joy in his face brought so much joy to me.

I remember Janet Foord at the Services Auction holding up her paddle repeatedly to try to win the bid for the dinner that we were offering. Janet and her husband John and Jim and Nancy Pierson were at our dinner every single year and it was just wonderful. We did it for about 10-12 years running.

There are so many other memories. One that is deeply important to me is when we brought our daughter Emilia home from China. We were sitting in the sanctuary and the congregation acknowledged her. She raised her hand and said, “Ha!” in response. I will never forget that moment.

There are so many things and so much love. What I think Beacon really has given to me more than anything is a sense of belonging and being part of a community that is not just about us, but about the greater world as well. So thank you. I’m really proud to be here.