A ommunity of Open Hearts, Inquiring Minds, and Helping ... · Psychiatry at the University of...

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Sunday Services May 3 "Cope with Hope" The May 3rd Sunday Service will feature three TJ speakers: Jean Koehler, Janet Taylor and Ellen Cowley. JEAN KOEHLER, Ph. D., is a licensed marriage and family therapist who is an Emerita Asst. Clinical Professor Psychiatry at the University of Louisville Medical School. She has training and experience in treang mood disorders in addion to couples, family and sexual issues. She will talk on strategies for handling stress and anxiety and how learnings from our past experience with stress can help us through this stressful me. JANET TAYLOR, a former RN, license-inacve, and ELLEN COWLEY, forty years as a private pediatrician, both who are keeping up daily with COVID-19, will answer medical quesons you may have about the virus. May 10: "Mothers and Saints" Rev. Kathy Hurt- this holiday has, over me, encouraged us to elevate mothers onto a pedestal that takes away the joy and reality of their humanity. This service reflects on how spirituality and mothers have goen intermingled, not always in beneficial ways. May 17 "Nave Language" Rev. Kathy Hurt One Sunday Rev. Kathy gave a sermon that remarked on the lack of theological diversity in many UU congregaons, stang that they were mostly humnist. TJ member Ron Gross asked aſterwards why that was a bad thing. Rev. Kathy is finally ready to address the challenge Ron posed, in this service reflecng on what happens when we become more uniform in our UU perspecve. May24 Its Time to Make a Good Thing Beer: a proposal to change the 4 th UU Sources of InspiraonStatement Our current 4 th Source of Inspiraon statement invites Jews and Chrisans to bring cherished teachings from their own tradions into Unitarian Universalist worship and discourse, it does not extend this invitaon to Muslims as well. Life long UU, Dennis Neyman, Ph.D.,worked in Iran for 3 years. He greatly appreciates the culture, Community Outreach Coordinator, The Salaam Network. Contributors: UU Rev. Craig Moro of Wy'east UU Portland, Oregon, originator of this proposal and Dr. Riffat Hassan, Director, The Salaam (Peace) Network, feminist and Islamic scholar of the Qurran. May 31 Rev. Keith Kron, Director of the Transions Office for the Unitarian Universalist Associaon, will challenge each of us to open our minds and hearts to the full spectrum of human potenal as we begin the search for our new seled minister. A Community of Open Hearts, Inquiring Minds, and Helping Hands May 2020 Edion 656 The Monthly Newsleer of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church

Transcript of A ommunity of Open Hearts, Inquiring Minds, and Helping ... · Psychiatry at the University of...

Page 1: A ommunity of Open Hearts, Inquiring Minds, and Helping ... · Psychiatry at the University of Louisville Medical School. She has training and experience in treating mood disorders

Sunday Services May 3 "Cope with Hope" The May 3rd Sunday Service will feature three TJ speakers: Jean Koehler, Janet Taylor and Ellen Cowley.

JEAN KOEHLER, Ph. D., is a licensed marriage and family therapist who is an Emerita Asst. Clinical Professor Psychiatry at the University of Louisville Medical School. She has training and experience in treating mood disorders in addition to couples, family and sexual issues. She will talk on strategies for handling stress and anxiety and how learnings from our past experience with stress can help us through this stressful time.

JANET TAYLOR, a former RN, license-inactive, and ELLEN COWLEY, forty years as a private pediatrician, both who are keeping up daily with COVID-19, will answer medical questions you may have about the virus. May 10: "Mothers and Saints" Rev. Kathy Hurt- this holiday has, over time, encouraged us to elevate mothers onto a pedestal that takes away the joy and reality of their humanity. This service reflects on how spirituality and mothers have gotten intermingled, not always in beneficial ways. May 17 "Native Language" Rev. Kathy Hurt One Sunday Rev. Kathy gave a sermon that remarked on the lack of theological diversity in many UU congregations, stating that they were mostly humnist. TJ member Ron Gross asked afterwards why that was a bad thing. Rev. Kathy is finally ready to address the challenge Ron posed, in this service reflecting on what happens when we become more uniform in our UU perspective. May24 It’s Time to Make a Good Thing Better: a proposal to change the 4th UU ‘Sources of Inspiration’ Statement Our current 4th Source of Inspiration statement invites Jews and Christians to bring cherished teachings from their own traditions into Unitarian Universalist worship and discourse, it does not extend this invitation to Muslims as well. Life long UU, Dennis Neyman, Ph.D.,worked in Iran for 3 years. He greatly appreciates the culture, Community Outreach Coordinator, The Salaam Network. Contributors: UU Rev. Craig Moro of Wy'east UU Portland, Oregon, originator of this proposal and Dr. Riffat Hassan, Director, The Salaam (Peace) Network, feminist and Islamic scholar of the Qurran. May 31 Rev. Keith Kron, Director of the Transitions Office for the Unitarian Universalist Association, will challenge each of us to open our minds and hearts to the full spectrum of human potential as we begin the search for our new settled minister.

A Community of Open Hearts, Inquiring Minds,

and Helping Hands

May 2020

Edition 656

The Monthly Newsletter of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church

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Interim Reflections Jungian analyst James Hillman theorizes in an essay on betrayal that all significant relationships necessarily undergo an experience of betrayal in order to mature and deepen. He argues that we enter relationships in a kind of innocence, naively seeing the other as wonderful and perfect in every way, settle into comfortable patterns with each other, and stay there unless and until one person seriously goes wrong and hurts the other. The two have a choice, then, of ending the relationship or continuing—but if they continue, they interact now without that innocence and can see one another more honestly, knowing the other is flawed. Their love is deeper because it is no longer based on illusion but on reality.

As we continue in this strange and difficult state of pandemic, trying to make sense of our lives and grapple with the ways we are hearing we may be forever changed, I wonder whether one meaning of this time might reflect Hillman’s notions of inevitable betrayal. The relationships we have with each other and with our natural environment are all drastically altered right now—and many leaders are telling us that this is a “new normal,” that going forward we will move in and out of times of pandemic, that certain kinds of gatherings may never resume, that all of us will be learning safeguards we perhaps needed before but, still in our innocence and naivete about how we could conduct our lives, we did not implement.

I look each day at how we are also struggling in our church to master new methods of worship, of meetings, of fellowship groups and classes, of handling donations, and feel chagrin because I have long heard from all sides that churches needed to make these changes in order to serve a new generation of members and be adapted to our surrounding culture—yet I consistently thought, “Oh, yes, that makes sense,” and did nothing. Now we are under pressure and have no choice but to make those changes, to learn how to incorporate a remote element in all we do as a church or else we will wither away.

A kind of innocence about how we gather, how we do church, how we regard the environment, has been stripped away from us by a microbe. If Hillman is right, in time we will all be wiser about our church, our gatherings, our environment. Already many note that they are spending more time enjoying the outdoors and connecting with loved ones. The illusion that such essential aspects of life could be postponed for another day is gone, as that “other day” has arrived. For all the fear and suffering of this pandemic, may we hope that it brings us, eventually, to a new depth in all we see and do.

In faith, hope, and love,

Kathy

Green Energy Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be? Acclaimed filmmaker, Michael Moore, has produced a new documentary – Planet of the Humans – that offers a stark, eye-opening look at the green energy industry. This 1962 quote from Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, summarizes the film beautifully:

Humankind is challenged, as it has never been challenged before, to prove its maturity and mastery – not of nature, but of itself.

Free on YouTube.com, Planet of the Humans is worth your time to watch.

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BOARD NOTES – May 2020 Hello all, welcome to May’s edition of Board Notes. It’s been almost two months since our last service in the sanctuary. We sincerely look forward to the time when we are physically together and can give real live hugs.

Following are key things that the Board of Trustees wants you to know:

• We will hold the May 17 Congregational Meeting by Zoom at 1:00 pm. We will send out the agenda ahead of time. Expect a separate Zoom invitation for this meeting – people will be logged into the meeting one at a time to verify membership, how many people are voting on each device (e.g. if a couple has signed on with the same computer), and that we have a quorum. This will be our first time holding a virtual congregational meeting, but the UUA is providing training and resources to enable us to do this well.

• Pledge update for 2020/21: 71% of members have pledged with 88% of goal being reached. We sincerely thank all of those who have pledged. Our goal this year was the same as our current year budget so we are indeed hoping to meet this. To those who have not yet turned in a pledge and in the spirit of Derby week, please help bring us across the finish line!

• Repairs to the corner of the building have started. The BOT expects an estimate on the covered portion this coming week.

• The Personnel committee has worked on a major revision to our Personnel manual for the past couple of years. Much of the revision has been based on new recommendations from the UUA. “PC” has nearly completed this and is working on the last few revisions.

• With the support of the national and MidAmerica region UUA offices, our church has applied for loans under the Federal Government’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and the Paycheck Protection Program. Faith-based organizations are eligible to receive these funds and are not required to repay the money if the funds are spent on allowable costs (primarily payroll). The funds are being made available as a part of the congressional response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not know when or if the loans will be approved and, if approved, how much we will receive.

• Rev. Kathy is helping us to understand that we will not go back to doing church quite the way that we used to. Going forward, we will have an on-line component to Sunday Services and most likely, to many of our meetings. The Board and the AV team are exploring the idea of hiring a technician to assist us with these changes.

Stay well, with love, (Deborah Novgorodoff, BOT President and Alan Godsave, VP, for…) Your Board of Trustees

Looking forward to

your return.

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Please “like” our page:

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church/Louisville, KY

It’s important to “Share” TJ’s Facebook Events and Timeline posts. Every time you “share”

with your friends, they pass it on to others who learn about our great programs and special

events! Please help us spread the word and “Share” it! See how many found us:

Capital Campaign Update As TJ follows social distancing, the Capital Campaign (CC) Priorities committee continues to meet by Zoom to monitor the Capital budget, set priorities and coordinate and fund projects. It is fulfilling work, reflecting optimism that we will soon gather together again, though perhaps differently, in our beautiful building.

As of March 31, Capital Campaign assets were $167,617, most of which was held in the segregated Schwab account. Since our timeline was relatively short, it was all invested in a Money Market fund. While it was hard to watch the stock market climb higher as we sat on the sidelines, we are happy campers now, with all our principal plus over $2,500 in interest to-date.

We are almost two years into the three year pledge period which ends 6-30-2021 and have received over $450,000 in pledges -78% of the total pledged amount of $581,000. Way to go, TJ!!! You are so very generous and every penny is appreciated. We understand this is a difficult time for many of you financially, and there is much uncertainty about the economy. Once the dust settles a bit we will invite you to contact us if you are uncertain about your ability to meet your pledge.

Finally, here are the projects all those wonderful pledge donations have been used for recently and some that are coming up next:

• Chairs have been replaced in the Hearth Room and other spaces in the office wing.

• New wood/upholstered chairs have replaced folding chairs in the sanctuary.

• The big door to the closet in Weston Hall was replaced with a sliding wood door.

• Workers have taken advantage of the empty building to install new countertops in the kitchen.

• Solar panels have been hooked up, and these are prime months to build up net metering credit with LG&E with ample sunshine and little usage.

• Social media consulting continues, with Ellen Wade and team playing an increasing role in church life now that we can’t do business as usual.

• Work continues on plans for partially funding a new covered main entrance to the building, putting solar lights in the parking area and a digital bulletin board in the entryway.

• Best for last…CC has transferred money to the Operating Budget to fund the Justice Center Coordinator (Dawn Cooley) for the rest of the fiscal year ending June 30, with more to be transferred once the budget for the next fiscal year is finalized.

If you have any questions please contact Deb McChane or Jon Henney, co-chairs.

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Dear Friends of TJ’s Open Campus, The Adult Religious Exploration (ARE) Committee is in the process of planning Open Campus for the coming year. We are currently soliciting proposals for classes for Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Open Campuses. We need your ideas for classes and your suggestions for class facilitators. Perhaps you would be willing to facilitate a class yourself. Maybe you are a member of a committee that has a subject about which you would like to inform and inspire others. In any event, we would love to hear from you. It is because of you and our volunteer class facilitators that the ARE Committee can offer classes that are varied, meaningful, timely, and relevant. Please know that an Open Campus class could be a single session on a single evening or extend over a period of up to 8 weeks. Recently Dick and Carolyn Brown presented a very entertaining five-week class about their world travels. We are hoping that other members might be willing to share their travels, perhaps joining together in a collaborative way to show their adventures. The deadline for submitting ideas and proposals for Fall 2020 Open Campus is June 15, and the deadline for proposals for Winter 2021 Open Campus is November 1. If you wish to facilitate a class yourself and would like to submit a specific proposal, please email [email protected] You can submit your ideas, suggestions, and/or completed form in any of the following ways:

• Provide it to any ARE Committee member. • Email it to [email protected] • Mail it to: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, ATTN: ARE Committee, • 4936 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40222. • Drop it off at TJ’s church office. • Place it in the ARE Committee mailbox in the hallway outside the church office.

Please contact Alan Godsave at [email protected] or at 404-406-9055 if you have any question regarding this request or wish to discuss any matter related to Open Campus. Additionally, please feel free to talk to any ARE Committee member about any recommendation(s) you may have for future classes. We hope you will give some thoughtful consideration to how you (and/or your committee) can share your knowledge and talents to make our 2020-2021 Open Campus classes meaningful and memorable experiences for our community, and we look forward to collaborating with you in that regard. Thanks, Alan Godsave & Marilyn Snyder Co-Chairpersons, ARE Committee Bridge Anyone?

Every TUESDAY night

7:00 pm

Stay tuned!

It will begin when safe.

All levels welcome.

Just drop in!

Reach Out Rx Dear TJ Community,

Expect a call from someone who just wants to talk. Make two calls, one to a TJ friend and one to some-one who is new-to-you. Repeat once a week or, as needed.

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Working for Justice in the Time of COVID19, Part 1

Starting a new job in a time of pandemic and social distancing is quite a unique experience. Particularly when that job revolves around working with people on various justice issues! I wish I could say that injustice is also being quarantined, but that is not the case. Indeed, there are a lot of people and organizations who are using this time to double-down on oppression, and a lot of vulnerable people who are in harm's way. With in-person rallies and events being impossible, I’ve heard a number of folks ask what they can do during this time of COVID-19 to continue to work for justice. I’ve broken this down into a list by topic area for your quick reference. These are some of the same topic areas the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is using in their organizing strategy, which also has some great ways we can continue this important work even while social distancing. I also highly recommend you check out Love Resist’s resources and webinar on this topic. Due to the UUA and Love Resists resources being national in scope, here are a few ways you can work for justice locally. Electoral justice (including voting, voting rights, and democracy)

One of the most active organizations on this right now is Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. They have whole slew of online events and opportunities available at https://tinyurl.com/ybq2uz42 Pick a local candidate for political office and volunteer with them - all the candidates running now could use volunteers to do phone and text banking. They will have a great, easy to follow system set up and will walk you through the process even if you’ve never done it before! Don’t be intimidated - it is really rather fun! Call/write or email Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams and tell him you support voting by mail in the upcoming elections. While it sounds like an expansion of absentee voting is in the works for the June primary, there is no guarantee that this will be extended to the November election, which it needs to be.

Gender & Sexuality justice (including LGTBQ equity and reproductive justice) This pandemic is disproportionately impacting women in terms of rising domestic violence, higher likelihood to become unemployed, less recognition for unpaid labor, and much more. Decisions about what is “essential healthcare” are negatively impacting pregnant people seeking abortion services as well as trans people seeking life-saving gender-affirming care. Donate to The Center for Women and Families and check out their volunteer opportunities.

Stand with Planned Parenthood has several ways to support our local PP chapter.

Donate to Kentucky Health Justice Network, which provides support for contraceptive care, abortion access, and trans health advocacy.

Addressing Gaps in Services In addition to the above, there are numerous organizations doing good, important social services work that we can be supporting with our time and other resources. Donate money to Eastern Area Community Ministries (EACM), which provides emergency food assistance to the meet the 30% increase in requests in recent weeks, as well as addressing the increased needs in housing and utility assistance. EACM is also looking for donations of: size 6 diapers, jelly, pancake mix and syrup, dried beans and ramen. Call (502) 426-2824 to arrange a drop-off. Continued on next page

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Continued from previous page

Central Louisville Community Ministries (CLCM) is housed and supported by our friends at First Unitarian Church.

They report that the current crisis has hit the low-income residents of First U’s neighborhood particularly hard, as

evidenced by a large increase in users of the CLCM Food Pantry. You can donate online, or send a check to: CLCM,

809 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY 40203

Louisville Central Community Center (LCCC) is a non-profit community-based organization that offers a variety of

programs and service in support of families. LCCC has expressed an urgent need for financial donations. You can

donate online or send a check to: LCCC, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40203

La Casita Center is asking supporters to create a food basket, and a volunteer will pick it up from your home

(following social distancing rules). Please go to https://tinyurl.com/LaCasitaFood for specific information about this

project.

Next month, I’ll cover ways you can work against Criminalization (including racial justice, immigrant justice, and the

criminalization of poverty), for Climate justice (including environmental justice and climate resilience) and for

Disability Justice!

Whew! That is a lot of stuff we can be doing during this “down time”. I hope you find it helpful, and I look forward

to working with you.

The Rev. Dawn Cooley

TJUC Justice Center Coordinator

Nominate Art Williams for the KY Public Service Commission. The Louisville Climate Action Network (LCAN) is asking that we send an email to the Governor to nominate Art Wil-liams to serve on the KY Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC makes critical decisions regarding electric and natural gas utilities. Three commissioners are appointed by the Governor, and one of the commissioner's term ex-pires soon. According to LCAN, Art Williams led the development of Louisville's STAR program (Strategic Toxic Air Pollution Reduction), is a skilled attorney, and previously worked for state government enforcing environmental laws. Please considering sending an email to the Governor in support of Art Williams. Follow this link to take action: https://www.louisvillecan.org/civic-steps

Sunday Mornings at 9:30

Adult Sunday Morning Class, 9:30 to 10:45 — not meeting

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• .Jean Koehler asks that we keep her sister, Ann, in our thoughts as she grieves the death of her husband after a decade-long battle with dementia. • A sorrow from Ron and Jane Gross: Sorry to tell you Ron has Stage 4 esophageal cancer, which has spread throughout his body, including the brain. No real fix, and life expectancy

unknown, but the oncologist says probably less than a year. Too soon for goodbyes, but know that this church, and its mission, will always be a key part of our lives.

• A sorrow from Karen Brown Levy: To all my TJ friends, my loving husband, William Levy, passed away

suddenly March 26, 2020. • A concern from Gary and Linda Guss: We just learned Linda has been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic

cancer. She has started chemotherapy. Please put us in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this journey.

• Susan Pittman asks that we keep her 16-year-old son, Nathan, in our thoughts. He’s struggling during his

parents’ bitter divorce. She wants to reassure him that life is okay, and life does go on – just differently. • A sorrow from Susie Pasikowski Her father’s youngest sister died in late March of COVID-19. There won’t be

a funeral. • Debbie Lawther, a TJ member from 2007-2011, writes that she has found tremendous joy joining our ZOOM

services from her home in England. She thanks the technology team for making this possible. Debbie also shared the sad news that a dear family friend, Fiona Kennedy Knox, died recently.

• Deborah and Bernie Novgorodoff share the joy that their daughter, son-in-law and children are moving to

Louisville! Jonathan has accepted a job at Chance Academy as a 4th grade teacher. May their move from Brooklyn go smoothly.

• Sympathies are extended to Carolyn Dean, who lost her brother suddenly. They were very close.

• Juda Hellman shared a heartfelt concern for her sister, Francis, who underwent a heart catheter procedure recently. Thankfully, all is well with her heart.

Joys and Concerns

WinterFair! 2020 New and Returning Artist Applications are now available online!

Save the date and add this to your calendar of upcoming shows for your customer Join us on December 4, 2-7pm and Saturday December 5, 9am-5pm

If you have questions, email [email protected] or call TJ at 502/425-6943. A knowledgeable person will have, or find, the answers!

And remember… ‘Snow fun without you!

https://www.tjuc.org/winterfair/

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Sunday, May 3, 2020 12:45 PM - 02:15 PM Caring Ministry Meeting zoom

Monday, May 4, 2020 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM Chalice Circle zoom 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Search Committee zoom

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM Caregiving Group 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Transition Team Meeting Saturday, May 9, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Adult RE Meeting zoom Sunday, May 10, 2020 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Board of Trustees zoom Wednesday, May 13, 2020 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM Family MInistry zoom Thursday, May 14, 2020 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM Chalice Circle Sunday, May 17, 2020 09:15 AM - 10:45 AM Social Justice Comm Meeting 12:45 PM - 02:15 PM Sunday Planning Meeting 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM Congregational Meeting zoom Monday, May 18, 2020 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Search Committee zoom 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM Justice Coord Council Wednesday, May 20, 2020 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM Family Ministry zoom 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM Chalice Circle zoom Thursday, May 21, 2020 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM Hospitality Committee Meeting Friday, May 22, 2020 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM Chalice Circle zoom Sunday, May 24, 2020 09:15 AM - 10:30 AM Green Sanctuary Meeting zoom 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM Discussion Group Saturday, May 30, 2020 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Beyond Categorical Thinking

These are the meetings, events and groups that have planned to meet. There are a few listed that do not say zoom but are likely to meet through zoom.

April 2020

The next Tapestry Deadline

is May 22nd

The wall is being repaired !!

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Finding Our Way So much of what we have thought of as normal life has changed and , in various ways, many of us have had to make sacrifices. As we all journey through our respective senses of loss during this time, it can still be a time of transformation in a positive sense. Lifespan Faith Engagement at TJUC is continuing to sit with how to transform religious education experiences. The Adult RE Committee is in the process of planning for the fall session of Open Campus in new and innovative ways. You may begin to see more virtual program offerings to help fill the gap now that the Sunday morning discussion group is not meeting regularly. Rather than attempting to do a complete recreation of the Family Ministry

Program in a virtual format at a time when it is clear that many families are feeling overwhelmed, an expansion of a practice called Full Week Faith is happening to support families and those in parenting roles in bringing our Unitarian Universalist faith home. This effort involves sharing electronic resources, suggesting faith related at-home activities, and creating original video content. A YouTube channel is up and running at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgp1jBctqFPwYqBtjtVxZQ You can search for it by entering in ‘Barbara Friedland, DLFE’ in YouTube. Look for much more content to be posted there over time. The TJUC Family Learning Community on Facebook is a public group, affiliated with the TJUC Facebook page. It is a special community for all different sorts of families. You will find resources and videos from your Family Ministry team there and new families are welcomed! https://www.facebook.com/groups/215969505600003/?source_id=150287715066080 Lifespan Faith Engagement also offers the Soulful Parenting Circle, a group for all in parenting roles to offer support, a comforting shoulder, and a listening ear. You’ll find us online on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/220227722382136/ This non-public group is affiliated with the TJUC Facebook page and you can request to be a member. Finally, a special newsletter is available for families. If you are not currently receiving the Family Ministry Buzz and would like to, please email me at [email protected] This is a challenging time that may bring up a variety of feelings for us: contentment with the new simplicity of life, gratitude for being able to spend more time pursuing hobbies, feelings of overwhelm as we try to meet the needs of children and youth who are cooped up at home, sadness and feelings of isolation, financial worries, and more. It is a rather large challenge to envision finding our way forward as a congregation during this time of upheaval and I’d love to talk with you about what would best serve you or your family’s faith engagement needs. I invite you to contact me by email or phone to set up a time to talk. Take care, stay safe, and be well, Barb Friedland, DLFE

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New Book Group Rev. Kathy and Barb Friedland will be offering an online book discussion of White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. All UU congregations are urged to do ongoing work to dismantle racist systems and educate ourselves about our own unconscious racial biases; this book is particularly recommended as an initial way to begin understanding white supremacist systems and how we cannot help but be part of such systems.

Our own local bookseller, Carmichael's has copies of the book in stock, but if you'd like help ordering and receiving the book, let the church office know. The book is also available through Amazon.

Our goal is to start the class the week of May, 10th and offer both a daytime and an evening option if sufficient numbers are interested. To register and receive a zoom link for the class, please email Kathy at [email protected], and indicate whether you prefer a daytime or evening class.

Blessings on Those Staying Home Linda Barnes

We’re staying home. Love has never asked this of us before. We’re staying home, this is our gift to humanity. Let us wish each other well.

For those staying home alone, I offer you this blessing. May you grow a deeper understanding of your own worth. Dear one, leaven the aloneness with gentle care, for this too shall pass. May you be blessed with a peace and serenity; may you find the courage to reach out to hear another’s voice and to remember others need you too. May you be well.

For those staying home together. I offer you this blessing. May you find moments of patience and grace in your relations. May you offer each other enough time apart, reassurance and space enough to cry, to safely rage, for this too shall pass. Then, let peace come again into your home. May you see one another’s whole self as a gift. May you be well.

For those working from home, I offer you this blessing. May you remember to take breaks. May you find the means to relish your imperfection and the imperfection of others as evidence of our shared humanity. You are enough even when there isn’t enough. Make order in your days and then let it go. May you be well.

For those staying home with children, I offer you this blessing. May you find humor and compassion in your days. There will be learning of a different kind, deeper no doubt, unexpected for sure. May there be patience and forgiveness, again, and again, and again. For this too shall pass. May you all remember the deep love that brought your family into being. May there be peace and understanding in your home.

May you be well. May we be well. May it be so.

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Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church 4936 Brownsboro Road Hwy. 22 Louisville, KY 40222 Return Service Requested May 2020 Edition 656

Rev. Kathy Hurt, Interim Minister - call for an appointment - 425-6943

Barb Friedland, Director Lifespan Faith Engagement Office hours 10:00 AM– 4:00 PM Tuesday through Friday. Email to [email protected] Messages may be left for her outside of these hours at (502) 425-6943

Janet Taylor, Congregational Life Coordinator, (502) 425-6943

Debbie Horvay Administrator/Newsletter Editor Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Ellen Wade, Rental Coordinator Weddings and Rentals 502-905-4408

Office hours: Monday thru Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

(502) 425-6943

9:30 am - Adult Religious Education 11:00 am - Sunday Service

11:00 am - Family Ministry Groups

425-6943 [email protected] www.tjuc.org

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church 4936 Brownsboro Rd (Hwy 22)

Louisville, KY 40222

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead Walk beside me… just be my friend”

Albert Camus

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson