Farewell to Naomi Yoshida, Director of Religious Education

The Congregation offers enormous gratitude to Naomi Yoshida for her sixteen years in service to the families of UUCLB. During this time, our congregation has been inspired and enriched by Naomi’s creativity, dedication, and kindness in countless ways. In 2007, Naomi began serving as Religious Education Assistant, then transitioned to Acting Director of Religious Education in 2018. During the transition from Rev. Rick’s Interim ministry to Rev. Lissa’s Settled ministry in 2020, Naomi took on the role of permanent Director of Religious Education and is in her sixth year.

Throughout the pandemic, Naomi worked tirelessly to provide remote programming for families and to continue connections virtually and via weekly mailings. As we emerged from the pandemic, Naomi worked with teachers, staff and volunteers to keep programming for children and youth safe and inclusive.  In a new chapter of Religious Education, Naomi has helped the program grow to reach new levels of interest and energy.

We acknowledge not only the enormous contributions of Naomi but also her family members Leslie Koons and Kai Yoshida. Together, Naomi, Leslie, and Kai have shaped the Religious Education program at UUCLB into what it is today. Leslie dedicated countless hours as OWL Coordinator and Facilitator, and Kai, as RE Assistant, created three summers of original curriculum during Chalice sUUmmer.

At our gatherings on Saturday, September 23rd and September 24th, we were grateful to celebrate Naomi’s accomplishments and offer her and her family gratitude. We will be re-starting the Religious Education program Sunday, October 1st, with the Soul Matters theme ‘Heritage.” We will also be inviting opportunities for feedback about the next steps for the Religious Education program.