Greetings UUSSchenectadians!

May 5, 5/5, day 55 since we closed the church for in-person and on-site gatherings. Perhaps, you might just pause here for a moment…and breathe… breathe in peace for the gift that you are still here, still able to care and belong to this congregation…

And breathe out love to all of the people who are working extra hard right now (including yourself and MANY members, friends, and visitors of UUSS!!!)-those who are serving in the medical field, including those who have come out of retirement; who are in the service industry; who are caring for the most vulnerable in our communities; who are teaching in new ways; who are running businesses and families and organizations and religious communities; who are in the deliveries business; who are volunteering; to all who are grieving and mad and disappointed at cancellations of proms, graduations, sports, and musicals and all.the.things; who are afraid because of job losses or relationships ending; who are sad having lost friends and loved ones to COVID-19 and other health or accident issues; to Muslims and Muslim UUs who are celebrating Ramadan; and send some love to all who are being present to what is.

Breathing in peace for ourselves and breathing out love for all. We belong to one another in our interdependence and in this pandemic, we are extra aware of just how connected we are as we maintain physical distance to protect one another.

Our Unitarian Universalist faith and this congregation draws the circle wide and we need to draw it wider still so that all who are lonely right now might find a religious home here, even as ‘here’ means several different locations now. Invite your family members and neighbors to tune in online to a worship service or meditation or this week’s The(*)logies on Tap or whatever you think might serve their needs right now.

If they or you are tired of looking at the Zoom screen because your job is requiring even more time onscreen, just close your eyes and listen. “Bring” your mom to worship this Sunday. “Bring” your kids and snuggle up on the couch.  Or set up Zoom on your device and go outside and lay on a blanket to listen. We’d love to see you this Sunday!

And we’d love to hear from you. Do you need something from this community? Do you have something to offer it? We are in this together even as we are each experiencing it in our own way. The late Bill Withers in his song Lean on Me reminds us “…no one can fill those of your needs that you won’t let show.” So, let’s reach out to one another to ask for what we need, to offer reassurance, and to foster a sense of belonging across the miles.

With care and in faith,

Rev. Wendy and Rev. Lynn