I am relieved and excited to be back at work after my recent bout of pneumonia! Thank you all for your kind messages, and for your patience and grace as I tended to my health. I’m easing back in by working remotely this week, but intend to lead worship in person on Sunday, and hope … Continue reading April 30, 2025 Minister’s Message
Last week, I had two very different experiences at our State Capitol, each powerful in its own way. First, on Wednesday, I participated in my first ever personal lobbying of an elected official. Through ISAIAH, I signed up for Healthcare Access Lobby Day, and was granted an appointment with my state senator, Bobby Jo Champion, … Continue reading April 9, 2025 Minister’s Message
I spent last week in coastal Georgia and South Carolina, on my third Living Legacy Pilgrimage to visit sites connected to the Civil Rights Movement and to learn from people directly connected to that history. Speaker after speaker talked about the importance of doing the work in community, because none of us can do it alone. … Continue reading April 2, 2025 Minister’s Message
Many of you know that I have been on two civil rights pilgrimages through the Living Legacy Project, one in 2023 to Memphis and Mississippi sites, and one in 2024 to Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama. Next week, I am going on a third, to Savannah, Georgia and Beaufort and Charleston, South Carolina. Each time … Continue reading March 19, 2024 Minister’s Message
I am pleased to announce that Macey’s title is changing from Children’s Faith Development Director to Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, effective immediately. This title change reflects the fact that Macey’s portfolio has grown to include ministry to young adults, as well as the fact that she continues to offer multigenerational activities. Just as a … Continue reading March 12, 2025 Minister’s Message
I recently finished a final paper for a class in my doctoral degree program in Creative Writing and Public Theology. This particular class was on Storytelling in Times Like These, and it asked questions about how we can tell stories that are more true and more helpful. As I wrote the final paper, essentially explaining my … Continue reading March 5, 2025 Minister’s Message
In my Black History in Unitarian Universalism sermon two Sundays ago, I said that in my next column, I would share some reading recommendations for those of you who want to dig deeper into the history. I forgot in that moment that Shelly was on vacation and there would be no Weekly Update last week—so … Continue reading February 26, 2025 Minister’s Message
Yesterday, the Unitarian Universalist Association joined more than two dozen other religious groups in a lawsuit to fight the current administration’s policy allowing ICE to enter houses of worship in immigration raids and other enforcement actions. I am proud of our UUA for taking this action in partnership with others, living out our values and … Continue reading February 12, 2025 Minister’s Message
Help UUFM Make Good Trouble! Last week, I shared with you that UUFM was among over 50 Unitarian Universalist congregations honored by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Side With Love team as “Good Trouble” congregations for our pro-democracy work in 2024. That work continues to be essential in 2025 and for the foreseeable future. After attending … Continue reading February 5, 2025 Minister’s Message
Last night, Diane Dobitz and I participated in a Zoom event held by the UUA’s Side with Love campaign. UUFM was one of 54 congregations honored as “Good Trouble” congregations for our pro-democracy work in 2024. In 2025, we must continue to make “good trouble” on behalf of our democracy. Stay tuned for ways we … Continue reading January 29, 2025 Minister’s Message
