Dear Friends, I am getting set for a vacation, and I really need it. This has been a tough year—more uncertain, more tumultuous, more painful than the average one. I feel the losses of our congregation—Hal Walberg and Jan Klages. I feel the losses of our larger world—millions died of COVID, and the pandemic is … Continue reading June 23, 2001 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, Can I see another’s woe, And not be in sorrow too? [. . .] O no! never can it be! Never, never can it be! William Blake wrote these words in 1789. They are as true now as they were then. In one way, it is inevitable that our empathy and sympathy would … Continue reading June 16, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, It’s that time in our program year where things really begin to slow down, mostly because you are occupied with gardens, picnics, and, finally once again, summer adventures with family and friends. Please remember to practice precautions so that plans for gathering at the Fellowship come September may be fulfilled! I am easing … Continue reading June 9, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, Our Soul Matters theme for the month is Play. As I have told several groups at different times, I was the person who does not like playing games. I was the non-playing mother: “Oh, silly baby, you want to snuggle or read? ‘Cuz Mommy doesn’t play!” I still struggle to play games, though … Continue reading June 2, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, Yesterday, May 25, was the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, murdered by a police officer, Derek Chauvin, while three other officers watched. And the whole world saw it, and one small move toward justice was made, because a teenage girl unflinching filmed the encounter. May we remember the life of George … Continue reading May 26, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, Though times remain uncertain, as a religious community, we have much to celebrate. We are all still here! And new folks have joined us, making “us” always more than we already are. Most of us found a way to adapt to Zoom, though others are contentedly (or impatiently, as the case may be!) … Continue reading May 19, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, Have you been told a story of what you could not do or could not be? A story that belittled you, that diminished you, that tried to stifle your dreams? There are stories that would kill us in our cocoons—stories told by unkind or oblivious caretakers, stories written by the cultures that we … Continue reading May 12, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, “I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ if I can answer the question ‘Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?’”—Scottish-American philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre (b. 1929) Since December, I haven’t devoted much time to working with interfaith partners in Mankato and so I was surprised to … Continue reading May 5, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, This is what we are looking forward to, isn’t it? If not a group hug, a personal one with someone you have not seen or touched in far too long. You may or may not wish for a real hug, and a hug is a metaphor for the comfort all of us seek … Continue reading April 28, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, I write this message in the midst of uncertainty. Uncertain about the verdict in the Chauvin murder trial. Uncertain about the treatment of protesters expressing sadness, pain, frustration, and anger generations deep. Uncertain about legislation in Minnesota designed to hurt trans people and to disenfranchise anyone arrested for any reason while exercising First … Continue reading April 21, 2021 Minister’s Message
