Cup of Joe, March 28, 2025 My Dear UU Saratoga Community, I have been tremendously humbled to hear in these last couple weeks the many and significant ways that my ministry has had an impact on your lives. That my ministry has meant so much to so many of you means a great deal … Continue reading Thank you
Cup of Joe for March 21, 2025 “We are hope despite the times.” That line is from the chorus of a song that has been on repeat in my ear for quite a while, now, and it’s been a source of comfort and resilience for me. To be saying goodbye to the congregation during … Continue reading We Are Hope Despite the Times
Rev Joe’s sermon preached March 16, 2025, can be found here and below. Moving Forward, Centered in Love Rev. Joe Cleveland March 16, 2026 All that you feel is welcome here. All that you are is welcome here. Humans have an incredible capacity for feeling a multitude of feelings in any moment. And in … Continue reading Moving Forward, Centered in Love
Below, please find two letters: one from the Board of Trustees and one from Rev. Joe, as well as closing remarks. Dear Members and Friends of the UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs, After thoughtful and heartfelt conversations about the future of our congregation and Rev. Joe Cleveland’s ministerial aspirations, the Board and Rev. Joe … Continue reading An Announcement Of A Transition In Congregational Life
Cup of Joe, February 28, 2025 We are all looking for ways we can take action to disrupt the agenda of hatred and bigotry being enacted by the oligarchs and autocrats currently trying to run our country. Every day is a new outrage that somehow outpaces how outraged we were yesterday. The congregation’s Social Justice … Continue reading Thank You to the Social Justice Team and Side with Love
Cup of Joe, February 14, 2025 Love + Liberation I was reading a prayer, and it ended with the words “Love Will Guide Us.” And that was enough for the hymn in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnal to get stuck in my ear. (You can hear members of the congregation and I singing it … Continue reading Love + Liberation
A brief ceremony took place Thursday, January 23, 2025, to thank the land and the trees of 400 Louden before our contractor started cutting trees and clearing the land. A small group gathered at the driveway access and then walked back in through the trees to just about where the new meetinghouse will be sited … Continue reading Thanking the Land and Trees of 400 Louden Road
Cup of Joe, January 24, 2025 Three things, dear friends: A call to advocate for a refugee family stranded by Trump. Giving our thanks to the land and the trees at the site our future home. Connecting with the Saratoga Interfaith Alliance. You’ll find info on those three things below and by following the links … Continue reading Thanks, Witness, and Advocacy
Cup of Joe, January 15, 2025 One of the ways to live our UU values this weekend is to attend and participate in this year’s Dr. King Celebration Weekend (Jan 17-20). You’ll find the listing of events here. One of our young people will be performing in the kick-off celebration on Friday, Jan 17, and … Continue reading Put MLK Weekend Events on Your Calendar!
Cup of Joe, January 10, 2025 I hope that you were able to claim some rest and re-charge time over the holidays. It certainly does feel like things are starting up again, and I continue to believe that what is most helpful is simply being able to connect with one another, both within our … Continue reading Opportunities for Connection