Minister’s Blog

Dear Ones,
A few weeks ago, we talked about the Jewish holiday of Sukkot during
our family service. Sukkot is a time in the fall when observant Jews build
special shelters (called a sukkah) outside and spend time there, eating
together, even sleeping outside. During our discussion that day, we
talked about what the practice of spending special time outdoors can offer us. As UU’s, we respect the interdependent web of all existence of
which we are a part, and going outside can help us feel connected to the
earth.
As Christine and I were preparing for that service, we encountered another aspect of the holiday which I would like to reflect on further here.
Sukkot has two meanings: the first is as a harvest festival to celebrate
and give thanks for the abundance of the earth. And the other is to commemorate the 40 years that the ancient Israelites are said to have wandered the desert. In this vein,
part of observing Sukkot is to remember the homeless. The holiday is behind us now but of course
the fact of homelessness remains. The causes of homelessness are myriad, ranging from climate
crisis and forced migration to poverty and mental illness. At the root of the problem is a system that
treats housing as a commodity rather than a human right. And, we must remember that this is not
just something that impacts “other people.” There are members of our own congregation, their
friends and family members and other loved ones, who have been at one time, or currently are, insecure in their housing.
For over a year now, we have been part of local efforts to support our immigrant neighbors who
have been in shelter at a hotel in Sharon. Many of these folks have fled violence, and economic and
political crises in their home countries, many of them from Haiti, but other places as well. I have
watched and cheered you on as you have stepped up in so many ways, including bringing a family
into your own home, and also shuttling to the laundromat, teaching English, donating money and
material goods, hosting birthday parties for the kids, and more and so much more. Catholic Charities
Boston, a direct services and advocacy organization, has begun working with some of the families
staying in the shelter, helping them find permanent housing and providing financial assistance. They
have asked the Sharon Interfaith Clergy Association whether any of our congregations would like to
sponsor one of these families. I already know of a couple of UCS members who would like to be part
of such an effort, in addition to all those who have already been doing this kind of work for the past
year. Anyone else looking to get involved? The roles we are looking for are as follows:
1-2 people to help coordinate donations the family will need to set up their new household and get
on their feet.
1-2 people to coordinate visits to the family’s home to provide friendship, mentorship, opportunities
to practice English, etc.
1-2 people interested in helping the family when they encounter various challenges (dealing with
state benefits, health benefits, getting a drivers license, and so on).
If any of this speaks to you, please let me know: minister@uusharon.org. Thank you!

Yours in faith,

Rev. Jolie