I wish a lot more people would embrace not knowing.  I say that both to those who embrace the dominant narrative, as well as to those who hew to dissenting ones.  What information might we be blocking out, in order to maintain the integrity of our viewpoints?  Let’s be humble in our beliefs: it is … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – June 2020

We know that the world we return to from the domain of coronavirus isolation will not be the same as the world we left.  We were already feeling on the cusp of something new–too soon to know whether new would be good or bad.  With climate change, political stalemate and dysfunction, increased nationalism around the … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – May 2020

  Last year, I commented early in my report, “What a difference a year makes!” This year, I say it in a whole new way. We started the year with threats of serious flooding, exacerbated no doubt by climate change. Meanwhile, the national political climate feels poisonous. Then, coronavirus and its side-effects have multiplied the … Continue reading Developmental Minister 2020 Report

Dear Friends,   In these days of isolation, some people may be craving interaction and contact.  Others may be simply afraid for their health.  Our Caring Team has been reaching out and contacting some of you, but the needs may be greater than that.  I’m writing to you about two opportunities for regular connection. First, … Continue reading Caring Letter

We are in liminal space.  That means, we are in between.  In between normal and what we do not yet know.  By the time you read this, the world will have spun around a few times, and a bunch more things will be different.  I’m not sure what or how or why, but I am … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – April 2020

We have a congregation full of caring, concerned people. Several of us met recently to discuss what we do well as a congregation to take care of one another, and what we can do better.  Though we don’t have a regularly meeting committee, we do have a Caring Team, a bunch of people who extend … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – March 2020

History matters. This year we celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) and the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920).  Before you rush to google to remember what those are, they’re both about voting.  The former gave the vote to black men, and the latter to all women.  That’s a reminder that for generations, … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – February 2020

We are dedicated to challenging ourselves and society into wholeness. A vibrant, inclusive congregation, UUFM is widely known as a safe haven and a force for social justice. These words came together to describe our mission and vision after participation from almost half the membership on a December weekend.  Yes, a weekend in December!  I’m … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – January 2020

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee of USD383 (the Manhattan/Ogden school district) issued a memo about inclusion during December that blew up on social media and brought a response from the Manhattan Mercury, including an editorial. This is my response to their editorial, published on the 17th: To the editor: In response to Dec. 12’s editorial, … Continue reading Diversity in December Holidays

Despite how many carols you hear on the radio or decorations you see popping up all over town, our Christian neighbors and friends are not yet in the Christmas season; they are in the season of Advent.  While liturgical Christians, like Episcopalians, Lutherans and Catholics are most likely to celebrate Advent, more and more Christian … Continue reading Jonalu’s Journal – December 2019