COVID-19 Update/Ltr. from Exec. Director

by Rev. Rob Gregson 2 Comments

After a two week virtual shutdown here at UU FaithAction NJ, I am at last able to be back in touch with all of you, our family of supporters.  I’d like to explain why I have been so silent in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, explain how we go about our work together going forward and provide an update about the previously scheduled Sat. April 25th Annual Meeting. Please also see information at the bottom of this email outlining 2 actions–one happening TODAY—to support detainees and release them and other vulnerable inmates in NJ ASAP.

March 11th to Today

As some of you will already know, I tested positive for COVID19 after experiencing my first clear symptoms on Weds. March 11 (though those symptoms did NOT include a fever–an important point as we begin to see a surge in cases here in NJ.)  I began self-isolating that same day and immediately notified all those with whom I had been in close and sustained contact over the previous week–including some of you.

After receiving a positive result 4 days later, I was asked by hospital staff to stay in self-isolation until at least Monday, 3/30.  I have been recovering slowly but surely.  I am especially pleased to report that my two children have been off-site over the past 2+ weeks, show no discernible symptoms and remain well.
To date only one other person has tested positive for the virus among those 100+ people with whom I had been in relatively close and sustained contact 10 days prior to showing obvious symptoms; it is worth noting that that person shared an hour car ride with me carpooling to a UUFANJ event.
The Board and Task Force leaders have fully supported my recovery for which I am very appreciative.  I will begin working from home on a part-time basis as my recovery progresses, though I have to take it more slowly than I would wish.  Please know that I appreciate your patience and many thoughts and prayers as we make this adjustment together. UU FaithAction NJ continues on!
One additional reminder: we have not had an office administrator since Feb. 28th and most likely will not hire another one for the time being so communications in the short term will likely be more sporadic than usual.  Thanks again for your continued understanding.
Rescheduling the Annual Meeting
Update your calendar!  The Board has voted to changed the date for the Annual Meeting from April 25th to Sat. June 6.  We expect this will be a VIRTUAL meeting via conference/video call; more details will be sent out as soon as possible.

The Annual Meeting is necessary to UU FaithAction NJ since it is there that we carry out the mandated annual business of the organization. In particular we are required to pass the official budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year; we also need to offer candidates for election to the Board of Trustees, and vote on those nominees.

There is a UUFANJ Board working group charged to determine the particulars of the Annual Meeting. If you would like to offer suggestions or otherwise assist this group in planning the June 6 Annual Meeting, please reach out to Tom Moran (UU Morristown):

thomasmoran.inspace@gmail.com   Mobile: (973) 960-2346

You may also contact Board Vice President, Nick Lewis (ozballnick@gmail.com)

Social Justice Actions Now

We are all aware that nothing is “business as usual” these days; still, there remains much that we CAN do which in itself is cause for hope and renewed vitality even while we deal (sometimes chafe) with the stressors of self quarantine, the knock-on effects to our employment and income streams, and general worries about the illness making its way through our families, congregations and state.
There are 2 immediate actions we are asking you to take:
Two immediate ways to help support Federal migrant detainees as well as some of most vulnerable inmates (the elderly, those with preexisting medical conditions that make them especially prone to COVID!19, etc.) still being held in coronavirus-prone cellblocks in our county jails and detention centers.
1) Sign this  Open Appeal to Governor Murphy to immediately release a select group of inmates, including Federal ICE detainees, who pose no immediate threat to public safety.  The letter is on behalf of the coalition group, NJ Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (NJ CAIC) of which UU FaithAction through our Criminal Justice Reform Task Force (sign up here!) is a part.

 

2) Consider joining a “drive through” protest TODAY (NEARLY NOW) at Bergen Co. jail campaign in support of the inmate hunger strikers asking for similar help during the COVID19 outbreak.
There remains much we can and are called to do.  We’ll get through this together, as we have done before and will do again. I’m lighting a virtual chalice here at “Office #2” (aka my living room) for each one of you and for this organization as we channel our grief, anger, worry and uncertainty into a future-oriented hope.  It’s how we will make it through this current crazy rip-tide, with the understanding that we mean not only to survive these times but to be part of the wave demanding a better way of living for all God’s/the universe’s creatures.  Now we gotta help make it so.

In faith, with love, for justice,

Rev. Rob Gregson, The Board and Task Force Leaders of Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ

 

2 comments

  1. I tried to forward this message, but was not able to do so. I was also unable to copy the complete message to Word in order to send it by email to others. If you want us to tell others, it would help to have an announcement that we could copy or forward.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Sylvia…as you know I’ve been out ill and without office support during my absence, so a number of things have gone ker-phlooey. You make an excellent point–now I just have to figure out how to allow folks to forward on our information. I take it this was for an Action Alert email that you received back in mid May?
      Best wishes, as ever,
      Rob

      Reply

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