I am pleased to announce that Rev Dr Isabel Call will become our new  minister in October.  She will be in Manhattan to look for housing and to visit from October 9-14.  She plans to be at our Sunday Service on October 10 and at the Board meeting on the 12th.  We may plan one … Continue reading UUFM Welcomes Rev Dr Isabel Call

The UUFM Board of Directors has called a special congregational meeting for Sunday, September 12.  The meeting will be held at 12 pm, or directly after the Sunday service is completed. We have a candidate for the open ministerial position at UUFM.  Until they have informed their current employer of their intentions, we cannot divulge any more information.  … Continue reading Special Congregational Mtg

Our August Board Meeting doubled as our annual Board Retreat.  We discussed the updated Human Resources Policy at length, needed to seek some clarification from the UUA, and hope to approve it finally in September.  UUFM finances ended on a high note for fiscal year 20-21 with net income being higher than expected and a … Continue reading Report from the Board – 29 August 2021

Dear UU Friends, We have tearfully and joyfully bid Jonalu goodbye and here we are, on our own again, at least temporarily.  I will be communicating with you all regularly in the monthly newsletter, and via emails when there is a need.  I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns that you … Continue reading Report from the Board – 22 July 2021

On July 21, 2021, UUFM Board Chair Judy Nickelson issued this statement:  Dear Friends, In response to your concern about masking and in light of the ongoing uptick in COVID cases in the Manhattan area, the Board today voted in favor of the following policies: Masks will be required to be worn by all persons … Continue reading Board Announcement – 21 July 2021

Saying good-bye is never easy. In this final month with you, the core of my job will be saying good-bye.  I am ending my relationship as your minister.  It’s a little harder that there is no one on-deck to take my place.  Still the ending, like all endings, would be hard even if there were. … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – July 2021

As we move towards the end of my time with the congregation, it’s the perfect moment to review the goals that were set for developmental ministry before I arrived.  No doubt, some of you remember being part of the goal-setting process, meeting together in small groups, while others have come since the goals were set. … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – June 2021

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” So reads the proposed 8th Principle.  The first part (through the word “promote”) … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – May 2021

Developmental Minister Annual ReportUU Fellowship of Manhattan, KansasApril 15, 2021Rev. Jonalu Johnstone The COVID pandemic tremendously shaped the year for UUFM, as it did for everyone.  We have conducted virtual services throughout the year, held two congregational meetings on Zoom, conducted our annual holiday sale on Facebook Marketplace, and moved almost everything on-line.  Our only … Continue reading Developmental Minister Annual Report 2021

Across cultures, religions and traditions, human beings celebrate. We have seen many holiday opportunities pass without our traditional celebrations in the last year.  As vaccinations increase, we may be peaking out and trying to do it a little differently, with small, safe family groupings.  Still not what we are used to–but improving. This month, three … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – April 2021