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 … read more.

“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 … read more.

Developmental Minister Annual Report
UU Fellowship of Manhattan, Kansas
April 15, 2021
Rev. 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 … read more.

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 … read more.

As I write, we are coming out of the deepest freeze I have been through since I moved away from Wisconsin in 2000.  The sun is shining, and I am ready to believe that spring is coming.

In the sunshine, we can imagine springtime returning to … read more.

Of all the places that we exist–in our neighborhoods, our city, our nation, even our families–the groups we may have highest expectations of may be our religious communities.  This is only natural because it is in religious community that we proclaim our highest values, that … read more.

Here is a link to the video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g4ffprjhc6ogodm/Reaction%20to%20the%20insurrection.mov?dl=0
 

What a time we live in!

 
I speak to you today as minister of the UUF.  I speak to you as my friends, as my Beloveds, as … read more.

Never, ever has there been a year I was more ready to say good-bye to than 2020!

There’s no need to review all that has been wrong about the last year as we welcome 2021.  Still, we have to recognize that these divisions into years are … read more.

As this year moves into its final month, we face a holiday season unlike any we have ever known.  We had a warm-up with Thanksgiving, setting aside family gatherings, or limiting them, or risking them with a combination of testing and quarantining and whatever other … read more.

Only a few more days until the election is over!

Except, probably, not really.  Our nation is so deeply divided that it’s a good bet that there will be recounts and court appeals and who knows what else.  Remarkably, the idea of a peaceful transition of … read more.