Rev. Joan VanBecelaere — Living In a Post Roe World

Sunday Service — 10:30 a.m.

Leader — Reed Richmond

Speaker — Rev. Joan VanBecelaere

Title — Living In a Post Roe World

Topic — In 1802, then-president Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter explaining his understanding of the First Amendment’s religion clause as reflecting the view of “the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall between church and State.” But It appears now that some legislators and courts are committed to inserting their personal convictions, even religious convictions, into all aspects of public life, especially in matters of reproductive rights. What can we do now to help support reproductive rights in Ohio and strengthen the separation of church and state?

Bio — Rev. Joan VanBecelaere is a retired Unitarian Universalist community minister living in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to retirement, she was the Executive Director of UU Justice Ohio. She currently serves on the board of the national Voter Empowerment Project, a non profit that supports increased voter engagement in under-represented and marginalized populations. She serves as treasurer on the board of the StoryTellers of Central Ohio and believes that effective story work can help us understand one another and change minds and hearts.

Prior to her work with UU Justice Ohio, Rev VanBecelaere was regional Lead with the Central East Region, district executive for the old Ohio Meadville District, vice president for student services at Iliff School of Theology in Denver CO, and taught as an adjunct instructor in UU polity.

She is a member of the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Lewis Center, Ohio. She lives in Columbus with her spouse, Jerry, and four rambunctious felines.

Fellowship has returned. Join us downstairs after service for coffee and conversation.

*Masks are requested in the building*