How are you doing out there?

Life’s everyday challenges are enough to contend with for most of us. And right now, we as a global community are facing much more than everyday challenges. Escalation of war and violence, the ups and downs of primary elections, and coronavirus and our inept government’s handling of it are all quite overwhelming. And what is so hard is that this is when it might feel like the best response is to withdraw, to hoard resources, to think only of our own needs, and to give up. And what is most needed is to reach out, to share resources, to practice our interdependence, and to persist with hope.

To be clear, we strongly encourage you to feel whatever you are feeling-exhaustion, overwhelm, disappointment, rage, grief, worry, energized, determined, relieved, hopeful, joyous, inspired-any and/or all of it. Feel your feelings. Own them as just that-yours. And be present for other people and their feelings. Let’s not strive to put our feelings on one another or to assume we know what others ‘should’ be feeling. All the feelings right now are reasonable responses to all that is happening. Expressing them honestly with each other can be a gift in strengthening our relationships, even when those feelings might be hard to feel, hear, receive, and/or express.

AND-we need one another to get through these challenges. We, as your Co-ministers, in communication with the Staff and Board of Trustees, have been deeply engaged in preparedness and protocols regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) with respect to congregational life.

The number of hours of research and conferring with other UU colleagues and local clergy colleagues of various denominations are too numerous to count. The number of emails with Staff and Volunteers are even more numerous. Your Staff have been hard at work thinking through supply acquisition and best practices of hygiene and cleanliness and responsible programming.

We, as your Co-ministers, care so very deeply about your well-being and are making the best decisions we can make with the data that is available to us (and we are working hard to collect as much data as possible so that we can make the best decisions possible.)

Several aspects of worship were changed or suspended this past Sunday. We did not make these decisions lightly. This is a serious health crisis and we must face it as such. We are interdependent and need to keep in mind our ‘infants and sages, sharing what we can. Sing now together this our hearts’ own song.’ As hymn #360 reminds us-it isn’t individual hearts but ‘our’ plural, we-the-collective.

We do not know whether activities will continue later this week, nor whether we will gather in person for worship on Sunday. Please watch your inboxes for an email from us regarding cancellations or alternatives-because there are alternative ways to reach out and to care for one another, to practice our interdependence, and to persist with hope and love.

We know that many of you are already choosing to not be in large gatherings for your own well-being and that of your family’s. We affirm you for doing what you know is best. Truly.

In the meantime, please consider downloading the free Zoom videoconferencing application to your computer (the easiest way to use it) or your tablet or phone if that is the only smart device you have. We likely will be using it for gatherings, meetings, and caring for one another soon.

With prayers for your well-being,
Rev. Wendy and Rev. Lynn