I'm in the news this week for some of my work at the Greenfield Public Library.  The library is working on documenting the local impact of the pandemic in Franklin County. I've helped to create the program, worked on the list of questions, with the interviews, and as needed.
From a personal and pastoral perspective, I think it's important both remember and document what this time has meant for our friends and neighbors. The way each of us, and our community, makes meaning about this time is really important, because it will likely prove to be such a pivotal turning point for our society and the world.
There is a before and an after.
I pray the after comes soon.
​-Pastor Jeremiah

My latest post for the UCC: What Data Do We Study Now In This COVID-19 World?

I was interested in thinking about what sorts of data the church needs to consider in this new time? Or, said more poetically, what are the stones on which we build the church?

Traditionally, the church looks at things like baptisms, buildings, and church budgets to determine how the church is impacting the world. I argue that this approach is no longer sufficient. 

I posted this a month ago, when the virus death toll was 50k people and today is over 100k.

I am more convinced that it is the right time to reconsider our assumptions about church and faith.

Looking ahead, I plan on reconsidering my theological and church ideas in the light of this new world.
 

This weekend, July 29, I'll be presenting a talk at the Pioneer Valley History Camp. I'm working on a project looking at the winners and losers of the Great Awakening, here in western Mass. I've been really interested in looking at the life of Rev. William Rand, of Sunderland, who lost his job after opposing the Great Awakening and its traveling preachers.

For more information about the event visit: here.

I'm planning on posting more after the event.