This page lists the Joys and Concerns submitted by our members and friends while the church is closed and we are holding “virtual services”. Feel free to submit your own Joy or Concern!

Happy our son was travelling recently…

For the last year, our son and daughter-in-law have been living in Beirut. When I first saw the news story about the explosion, I texted them in case they were unaware as they are currently in France visiting friends and family. I had no idea that it would turn out that their apartment building was well in the blast zone! Realizing that left me with profound gratitude that the coincidences that change our lives worked in our favor this time. Our hearts go out to the people in Beirut whose lives were completely disrupted by this accident. So, I call this a joy for me personally, but it’s a terrible tragedy for thousands.

Janet Neuberg accident – Janet is recovering

UPDATE: 8/1 Janet Neuburg will return home today if all goes as planned. The family would appreciate help with dinner meals. Contact Joan Stembridge or Ruth Larson if you can help.

UPDATE: 7/21 Janet is now in the rehab unit at Salem Hospital! This is a positive step toward returning home in the future, but it means that she has work to do to gain strength and stamina. Go Janet! Message from Joan Stembridge: Don’t expect Janet to respond to texts. She will be focusing on her rehabilitation. Keep sending them!

UPDATE: 7/17 (Changing to JOY!) Christianna says Janet is making progress, but it is an unsteady road forward. Today, Janet is feeling good enough to peek at her cell phone a bit, and we are encouraged to text Janet with short “good wishes” for her recovery. Janet has limited energy and will probably not respond to our messages. She can receive our thoughts however, and that is good news indeed. You can also send cards to Janet’s home and her daughter will take them to her daily. To obtain Janet’s address, email lifelineslayministry@uusalem.org and Eric Schuman will give you the address.

UPDATE: 7/11
Janet is making slow progress. She started eating and they are working on getting her up more. She is experiencing a lot of pain and dizziness, so working on that is a priority too. She is tired and the times she seems completely awake are short. Christianna read her a couple of cards, and she helped Janet do a video call with family. Christianna hopes to do more short calls soon.

UPDATE: 7/10
Janet Neuburg is out of the ICU with a giant headache and progressing well. Best wishes to her.

UPDATE: 7/8, later in the day…
Janet is off the ventilator and making good progress according to her doctor and nurses. There is a possibility that she could leave the ICU soon. Her daughter is here from Eugene and able to visit with her.

7/8: Longtime member Janet Neuburg is currently in the Salem Health hospital. The information available is that she was struck by a car Tuesday late afternoon or evening. She is in the ICU and responding to treatment. Updates on Janet’s condition will be posted here on Joys and Concerns. Our thoughts go out to her daughter Christiana and other members of her family.

Positive thoughts to Megan Roller

Just learned this week via a zoom meeting for COM that Megan Roller has been battling covid19 for the past several weeks at home. Our committee met with her for about an hour and a half and she was able to be involved and very present. She is still very, very fatigued.
Wishes for her good recovery.

Ed Kramer’s daughter is engaged!

My daughter, Heather, got engaged to a wonderful young man this week. She and her fiancé, Chris, plan to get married early next year in Seattle, where they both live. I’ve never seen Heather this happy, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

The Koch’s are Moving Back to Utah

Jim and Claudia Koch are returning to Utah to be close to family. They will be carried in our hearts for the kindness and service they brought to our congregation. We will miss them.

58 Years and Counting!

Glen Kaye and I will celebrate our 58th wedding anniversary on June 17!
Harriet

Happy Trails to Lennie and David

Lennie Martin and David Gortner are leaving UUCS and moving to southern California to be closer to family. They will be missed!

Happy News!

Ben and Annie got engaged over Memorial Day Weekend!

High hopes for a new job…

I am waiting to hear back from a job interview for a job I really want. To practice as an environmental lawyer again, they are behind processing bc of COVID-19, and I’m anxious about it. I think the interview went well (I don’t normally interview well).

Chris Roller is home now

Chris is home from the hospital. He spent a week there and is happy to be home. He has a lot of follow-up appointments but we’ll get there.