Time for a Covid Update at VUU. Things are not getting better in Maricopa County. Rates are up, cases are up. Some folks have asked if we should continue worshiping in person. As I stated in my weekly Facebook video, we can continue provided that we follow our own protocols very assiduously. Those are: Remain…
Read more
Some years ago, a member of my former church had a medical catastrophe that resulted in a stroke. She was in her fifties and has recovered 98% since, but several of the times I visited she was relearning how to speak and walk. I thought of her as we resume activity that has been dormant…
Read more
A dear and smart colleague, who was a consultant for the UUA for some years, told me once that progress is rarely visible as it happens. We see progress only in retrospect. I think this is worth keeping in mind as we continue to deal with the ever evolving pandemic, the search for a new…
Read more
First things first: As of October 17th we can welcome all people in the sanctuary on Sunday, including children. You have been very good so far in observing the provisos that still remain in place and allow us to be together. Be immune Wear a mask and a wristband …
Read more
First things first: Worship this week, October 10, is entirely virtual. The sanctuary will be empty. This is because it is being led by those leading the Beyond Categorical Thinking Program that is required of all congregations seeking UU clergy. They will handle every aspect of worship this coming Sunday, following a Saturday program…
Read more
I am going remote. For the next two weeks I will be back in Michigan to get my hair cut, my teeth cleaned, close on a mortgage refi, weed my yard, and (oh yes) see my family. I will be at work, but from a distance. Before Covid most interim ministers were truly peripatetic.…
Read more
In case you did not know, my personal spiritual life is as a non Jewish member of a synagogue. This has been part of my life for 22 years now, both in Grand Rapids and Brooklyn. That’s why I know so much (for a non Jew) about the holidays, which by the way are still…
Read more
Good news! We are on track to resume in person activity by October 17. More good news. Our Covid team says we can welcome 50-75 overall in the sanctuary now. Even more good news. You need not ask to be invited now. However… If you are not immunized, or are in close contact with…
Read more
Long ago I came across this observation from the French theologian Alfred Loisy, “Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God; what we got was the Church.” All clergy come to the calling because they heard the romantic promise of “the Kingdom” and discovered that making it happen involves rather unromantic work. I spoke about…
Read more
Remember, “Man plans, God laughs.” The Delta surge, or spike or whatever it’s called, seems to be nearing its peak. But our benchmark of 2 weeks decline has not yet begun. That means September 12 is not going to be when we resume in-person worship and faith formation. Judging by past surges, we are hoping…
Read more
