An Interview with Jo Morgan

By Rev. Heather Janules, Parish Minister and Donna Reed

The theme for April is Interdependence. As we recognize the importance of interdependence every month, we thought this would be a perfect time to launch a regular feature in The Mystic Messenger – an interview with a member of the WUS community. Our connections with each other are the bedrock of our strength. And this begins by getting to know one another!

This month, we met with long-time member Jo Morgan. Here is a little of what she shared…

Jo was born in the early 1930’s in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, a town close to Pittsburgh, where her father worked. Like many of her generation, she remembers having to go home for lunch from school. She only had an hour to walk home, eat, and walk back to school. She remembers sometimes being greeted by the Principal if she was a bit late getting back.

Jo’s family included a brother, Bob, and – after her father’s death and her mother’s second marriage – two stepbrothers, Bob and Tom. Jo was the oldest of all the children. Having a stepfather was a big adjustment. Jo’s stepfather was a local judge. In her words, “He knew he was a judge.”

Jo’s paternal grandfather, whom she never met, had been a minister. Her family attended a Methodist church, simply because it was close to their home. Jo recalls visiting her friends’ Catholic churches and needing to sit up in the balcony; she thinks because she was not a Catholic. The experience was alienating and confusing. However, when Jo was high school age, she began to realize that she thought differently from those around her about religion. In retrospect, Jo says, “I think I was born a Unitarian Universalist.”

Jo eventually married Charlie and they raised three children together; Chris, Tim and Anne. Jo’s vocation was serving as a long-time hospice volunteer. While the work was unpaid, she loved the work and appreciated the support of her supervisor, who was a very hard working and a very loving person. Charlie participated by joining the hospice choir.

Charlie and Jo moved to Winchester so their children would get an excellent education. After “church shopping” they decided to attend WUS. Charlie loved singing in the WUS choir and did so for many years. Jo has fond memories of teaching Religious Education with other long-time members like Barbara Keyes. She remembers Gordy McIntosh bringing her coffee on Sunday mornings. She also remembers that Gordy was ”the person who knew where all the light switches were.”

Jo was active in beginning the Welcoming Congregation program at WUS, an initiative to intentionally welcome and integrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into congregational life.

Jo with the Pastoral Care Associates during the co-ministry of the Revs. Cricket Potter and Tricia Brennan. This photo hangs on her wall as a reminder of her time in this lay ministry group

Drawing on her experience in hospice, Jo became a Pastoral Care Associate and enjoyed working with ministers Mary Harrington, Stephanie Nichols and David Boyer, John and Sarah Gibbs-Milllspaugh, and Tricia Brennan and Cricket Potter. Her friendships with her fellow PCAs became significant. Many helped her move from her previous assisted living community to where she currently lives. As she observes, “Without that group, I wouldn’t be able to do anything.”

Jo is also grateful for other relationships in her life – Donna Reed, Jeff (her financial advisor), Nancy Clancy and Kim Foley, all of whom still see Jo regularly.

Beyond her friendships, Jo’s spirit is strengthened by strong connections with her family and by listening to beautiful music. Her family attended the “Christmas Revels” at Sanders Theater every year for decades and her sons and some grandchildren still go most years.

Jo just passed her three-year anniversary of living at Benchmark Senior Living in Woburn. She acknowledges that some physical challenges get in the way of her doing things she wants to do but, in her words, “I do as much as I can.” Sadly, it is rare that Jo can come to the WUS building.

Jo regularly goes to exercise class and participates in group activities, such as a program called “You Be the Judge” where people respond to current events and weigh in on what should be the end result.

When asked if she had any final thoughts, Jo said “I always find it important to stand up for things I believe in.”