August 6, 2021 We’ve been through the pandemic. And we haven’t gotten all the way through the pandemic. In a recent online gathering of UU ministers who participate in the Soul Matters Sharing Circle, a colleague shared a metaphor that someone had used when they were trying to describe this current moment. It goes something … Continue reading Land ho! — a Cup of Joe
July 9, 2021 Last Tuesday, July 6, I joined with local Black Lives Matter leaders and many others to voice our outrage at the recent comments of Assistant Chief of Police John Catone and Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton. On June 28, Assistant Chief Catone and Commissioner Dalton held a press conference to report on … Continue reading A Cup of Joe
April 23, 2021 Like many people, I was relieved by the verdict delivered Tuesday in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Before we knew what the verdict would be, leaders of MLK Saratoga planned a gathering at the Spirit of Life statue in Congress Park for 6:00 that day. At … Continue reading A Cup of Joe
May 26, 2020 You may have heard that, given what experts are saying about the coronavirus, the UUA is recommending that we plan on virtual operations through May 2021. That feels like a really long time. As Susan Frederick-Gray says in the letter containing that recommendation, take a breath. What it doesn’t mean is that … Continue reading A Cup of Joe
This has not been like what I thought coming back into my shared ministry with you would be like! I thought we might have a congregational dinner, that I’d be sitting down with you and the committees and teams . . . And instead everything is being reimagined, and I have been on a steep … Continue reading A Cup of Joe
Welcome Back, Rev Joe! Let’s Practice Zoom! The Board and I have been talking and it just seems to make sense to cut the sabbatical short, so I’m starting to step back into my ministry with you all. During such an unusual time, we need all hands on deck to be sure we stay connected … Continue reading A Cup of Joe
A CUP OF JOE A dear friend of mine, his husband, and their adopted son live in North Carolina. They’ve been between homes recently and were invited to house-sit a friend’s house while they looked for a new home. After my friend and his family had been there a while, the friend they were house-sitting … Continue reading A Cup of Joe
I’m not going to just be putting my feet up for three months. I mean, I’ll put my feet up sometimes, and I hope you do, too! But I am setting some goals and projects for myself for my sabbatical time. There are three things that I am going to focus on. The first is … Continue reading A Cuppa Joe: What will Rev Joe be doing on his sabbatical?
On the one hand, it is a good thing to have a yearly reminder to practice gratitude. Even in a difficult world, especially in a difficult world, it is important to remember to notice the love and wonder and grace offered to us, and to say thank you. On the other hand, ”Thanksgiving” is one … Continue reading Cup of Joe: Thanksgiving on the one hand and on the other hand