Friend:

While social distancing is still critical to public safety, its effects can often be isolating, lonely, and difficult. It’s perhaps an especially challenging week for those of us who are observing or preparing to observe holidays that usually include family gatherings or religious services.

My own extended family is doing our traditional family Passover Seder this weekend (I know – a little late!) via Zoom. While we’re all greatly looking forward to it, it’s not the same as being together in person.

It has brought me and the AU team so much comfort to read the messages many of you sent in about your experiences during this unprecedented public health crisis. You shared your stories of incredible resilience in a time of uncertainty – including exploring a new hobby, finding new and creative ways to connect with loved ones, or even just getting outside and walking around the neighborhood to feel the sun on your face.

But that’s not all - we heard from so many of you that learning AU’s work is continuing despite these turbulent times has helped lift your spirits. You told me AU’s daily blog posts, our monthly Church & State magazine, and even these weekly updates are a welcome reprieve. I’m so glad that our defense of religious freedom is bringing you some peace of mind. And let me tell you – your words have helped lift our staff’s spirits greatly!

So here’s another update on AU’s work:

• We filed a brief in a Virginia court Thursday to urge the court to put the health of Virginia residents first by allowing an order banning large gatherings to remain in place without exemptions for religious services.
• We sent a letter to the Small Business Administration to urge them against using taxpayer funds from the recently-passed stimulus package to support explicitly religious activities, such as payroll costs for clergy.
• We called on Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to remove exemptions for religious services from his executive order prohibiting the public from gathering in large groups.
• My op-ed was published in Religion News Service pointing out that the Constitution and sacred texts agree: We must worship together from a distance.

If you haven’t written in yet, please consider replying with a note about how you’re doing. We will make sure to keep you up-to-date on our continued struggle to preserve religious freedom and to stop the government from misusing it to put lives at risk.

In solidarity,