By Perla Martinez
- What is your favorite thing about JONAH?
JONAH is the best of us. It invites us to be relational, authentic, and live out our faith values together across any divides. Always the best people.
- How did you get involved?
When I first came to serve the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in 2010, John Stedman did a 1:1 with me and I quickly became Vice President and got very involved. I got to know Sandra McKinney and we went to the capitol together for protests and met other wonderful JONAH volunteers and leaders. JONAH training was very good for me as a new minister. It was good training on how to run meetings, organize, and great leadership training. I’d recommend it for folks new to town, as a way to get connected and make meaningful relationships.
- What have you all been involved in?
I have been a part of Religious Leaders the entire time. I’ve helped with vigils and organized some events. I’ve served as Vice President, helped with the JONAH annual fundraiser, and led organizing the annual fundraiser for some years. A year or two before COVID, I helped restart the JONAH Environmental Taskforce and was co-chair of it for a couple of years.
- Why do you stay involved?
JONAH is how I imagine the beloved community should be. We bring our gifts and have more power, voice, and beauty together. JONAH recognizes the dignity in and potential of each person.
- What are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to seeing JONAH’s continued visibility and efforts in the news and making a difference in this community.
- What are your Hobbies/Activities?
I enjoy writing. I’m currently writing a spiritual resource book to support those living with chronic illness, and I also write science fiction.
- What local business do you like to support?
Earthbound Environmental