Author: Laurie Gauer
Dear LFUU Members and Friends,
Covid knocked me down for several days, but I’ve turned the corner and am starting to feel better. As I mentioned in last week’s note, this is my first time having it and I’m grateful I got it! I’m grateful for two reasons: I can better empathize with others who’ve had it and I like new experiences, as long as they’re not harmful to myself or others.
I am not grateful for experiencing what's happening to our country right now, because I believe it is harmful to myself and others. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) agrees and is responding:
- As I noted previously and was reported in the UU World, on February 12th the UUA joined a multifaith lawsuit to halt immigrant arrests at houses of worship.
- At our recent Small Congregations Check-in, I learned that on February 26th the UUA released “Presidential Orders, UU Values, and the Constitution” A Timely Summary Report for UU Leaders.” It’s goal is to help us understand how the Executive Orders impact three of our Unitarian Universalist justice priorities being affected): Immigration and refugees, Diversity, equity, and inclusion (and accessibility), and Rights of transgender and other LGBTQIA+ people. There are links to guides and toolkits on how congregations can safely and effectively respond and organize. Matthew, our Social Justice Chair, and I have read and attended trainings on these.
I hope Peggy is grateful she had her picture taken when she dropped off our March food drive collection at WeCAN, which they posted on their Facebook page (see pic above) with this message:
“THANK YOU to Lake Fellowship Church for donating over 120 pounds of food for our Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign! We are so grateful for this congregation and their consistent support of our WeCAN Food Project.
This morning Peggy, her husband Larry, and Marilyn, attended WeCAN’s Community Breakfast. Thanks for representing us!
Which experiences are you grateful for and which aren’t you? Why?
In Fellowship,
Laurie