I’m very much looking forward to seeing most in not all of you in person at the church for
our next board meeting. I believe this is the first time we have met indoors at the church in
person for this meeting in two years. There have been many adaptations along the way, and no
doubt there will be others ahead. Our theme for April is “Awakening,” one of the most powerful
and pertinent themes we’ve had. Being awake to change, and discerning how we can adapt to
serve our community is paramount. One of those changes is the need for other volunteers to
run Zoom services beginning May 15 for three Sundays. It’s a reminder that I think we are now
entering the phase where we need to either build up a sufficient volunteer pool for sound and
video or consider paying someone. We have been blessed to have 2-3 volunteers run services,
including memorial services and events for two years – kind of astounding, really, but definitely
not sustainable.

Our in-person services have adapted fairly seamlessly in response to our new policy of
having masks be optional if congregants are fully vaccinated. There seems to be no friction
between those who choose to mask and those who do not. There were some gaps with small
groups gathering in terms of not checking people’s vaccination status, but hopefully that can be
easily corrected. There are still people who due to necessity or preference are on Zoom, and
plan to continue a mostly online relationship with the church. Our tech team has screenshared
the words for hymns, so our online community can sing along if they wish. I thoroughly enjoyed
working with Beth Etter and Tim Raridon in planning the Easter Service. Ms. Etter is a pianist
with the Erie Philharmonic, and she is very collaborative in planning, and she would like to
return and play again for our church. I would welcome that.

Last week was the last session at Birdfish Brewery. We had about 10 people show up
each time, even with a break of 1-2 weeks sometimes between sessions. This last session was
on Transcendentalism, and people appreciated learning about the influence of Unitarians before
and following this movement. It was great fun, and in the future it would be good to see if we
can arrange a virtual option for those who couldn’t be there in person. It may be difficult with
restaurant noise, but it would be worth trying. Ryan Stryffeler would like to offer something
similar to this at a place in Youngstown, perhaps Noble Creatures near the Main Library.

I’m also looking forward to our half day meditation retreat on Sat. April 30th. Rev. Daiken
Nelson, Roshi will be staying the weekend, and will join me for worship on Sunday morning as
well. Based on my research it seems there has never been a Buddhist teacher who has had a
presence in Youngstown. This will soon change. I have been discussing with Daiken about
having a weekly sitting group that could also tune in virtually to his sangha based in New York,
but also inclusive to people who live outside the area. He is also open to coming out in person
to Youngstown once a quarter to lead retreats with me. I think this would be a good start, and
we’ll ask people who show up to the meditation retreat and see if they agree or not. There will
be a virtual option for those who can’t attend the retreat in-person. We would like to provide
some kind of simple breakfast and snacks: coffee, tea, bagels/muffins, hummus and pita. Some
assistance with the food would be appreciated, or recommendations who/where to order from.

While I was away in New York, I was also able to reconnect with Austin Pendleton, a
veteran director/writer/actor who is currently on Broadway in a Tracy Letts play. He is from
Warren, OH, and comes back 1-2 times a year. He said he would be open to doing something at
the church, perhaps a talkback. He is considering playing King Lear for the local community. He
also was in the original production of “Fiddler on the Roof”, a play about Ukrainian Jews who areoppressed by Imperial Russia. It probably won’t be soon, but it might be cool to do something with Congregation Ohev Beth Shalom related to “Fiddler on the Roof.”

In May we are going to have some special worship services: Rev. Steven Protzman, UU
Minister from Kent, will share a sermon related to Malcolm X on the 15th, a youth service on
May 22nd, and on the last Sunday in May a collaboration with Luke Pinella, playing Coltrane
and other jazz classics on saxophone. Jennifer is also collaborating with actors to put on a
Zoom production, probably related to a “A Grief Observed” by CS Lewis. I’m looking forward to
the coming month, and I’m excited to see what is inspiring other members of the congregation to offer.

Some possible Thank UU’s:

-Rev. Jim Ray, for being our Guest Minister on 4/24.

-Karen Lapidus – for reaching out to new members and newcomers, and being a great greeter. Achilles
– for offering dance, and helping the youth of this in church in Religious Exploration. Andy Crabb
– for being available for Jodi Money’s memorial service, and a consistent technical presence on
Sunday mornings. Beth Etter – for being our pianist on Easter Sunday.