Cup of Joe. Friday, Sep 27, 2024

I’ve been out sick a couple days this week. While I tested negative on Wednesday, today I tested positive for Covid.  I am doing my best to rest and do all the things, and I appreciate your well-wishes.  Hopefully, it will pass quickly.  My body has had this before so it should know what to do!

In the meantime, I wanted to draw your attention to a few things.

The New Home Capital Campaign is just booming!  It is very exciting and already an accomplishment to be celebrated and to take pride in.  Thank you to the New Home Task Force and all the Visiting Stewards of the campaign — and to all of you, too!  The congregation will have a new home.  Together, you all are making it happen.

There are also a couple more sobering things that I want to be sure get noticed.

First, Hurricane Helene arrived in Florida last night and there’s been damage there and in Georgia.  Our UUA Disaster Relief Fund has provided help to UU congregations making repairs in the wake of natural disasters.  Last year, the fund made grants totaling more than $275,000, which was the highest amount in a single year for the last five years.  The UUA tries to keep at least $100,000 on hand for emergencies, but the fund balance is down to $30,000.  If you can, it would make a difference in the lives of our fellow UUs if you can help replenish this important fund.  Follow this link: Give to the Disaster Relief Fund.

Second, this past Monday, our UUA issued a statement titled “Living Our Shared Values Amid Ongoing Violence.”  It was developed by the Office of the President and other senior national staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  The growing violence in Gaza and now Lebanon can feel overwhelming.  Your UUA wants to remind you that:

Sorrow for one compounding tragedy does not imply lack of solidarity with another.  There are tears enough to go around, and enough compassion to see us through.

The statement reminds me that when things are difficult, our shared values don’t go away: We continue to live them, and doing so together will see us through.  The statement also reminds us that there is important and fundamental action we can focus on right now: Vote and get out the vote.  There will be a UU the Vote activity following the service this Sunday.  Taking action together — there is nothing that brings me more reassurance.

You can read the whole statement by following this link:  Living Our Shared Values Amid Ongoing Violence

As one of my favorite hymns reminds us:

May we journey all together in the love that makes us strong. Together, we are more.

Take good care of yourselves! Get your rest and stay hydrated!

peace & love,

Rev Joe