Dear SVPC Family,

At the end of last week our whole country suffered the loss of one of its great legal figures, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As I write this note to you, she lies in repose before the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Many have gathered and visited there to pay their respects to someone who worked so tirelessly to establish a better world, especially for women and others who have been held down by unjust legal structures.

Justice Ginsburg once said she would like to be remembered as, “Someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability. And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little better through the use of whatever ability she has.” Ginsburg was being true to her Jewish faith, which calls on people to pursue tikkun olam—repair of the world. Tikkun olam makes it clear that God-fearing folk bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare, but also for the welfare of society at large.

The obligation to work to repair the world was proclaimed to our Jewish siblings by the prophets who spoke of God’s desire to liberate all creation. That same prophetic push comes to us in holy Scripture as well, and Justice Ginsburg’s tireless striving to establish equality and dignity for all gives us a powerful model to follow in answering God’s call.

May her memory be a blessing for us all.

With gratitude to God,

Dear friends,

Have you had those days when you forget that the phone call you have today is actually a Zoom meeting? And maybe your hair isn’t quite what you would have wanted others to see? Or, in my case, perhaps I would have paid more attention to making my bed which features prominently behind me in my meetings! Ah, things aren’t what they used to be.

But I love that as a church, we are very much come-as-you-are. I mean, certainly given that our worship is via Facebook, you can attend in your jammies. And if your bed isn’t made when I see you on Zoom, I don’t care. But beyond that, you are also welcome at SVPC regardless of race, sexuality, gender, class, immigration status, ability, or age.

So this Sunday and whenever else you want to join in some of the opportunities offered by SVPC, know that we’re glad you’re here!

Peace,