September 2021

The theme this month is “Embracing Possibility.” I remember when I was an actor, and one of the great teachings I received from a mentor was that creativity is impossible without limitations. Limitations give us the raw ingredients, from which we can use to create something with. I’ve included along with this report a link to new safety guidelines from the UUA, and they validate the decisions we’ve made. Unitarian Universalist churches are responding in a couple different ways, based on my research. Congregations I’m familiar with in New York City have invested in air scrubbers for their older sanctuaries, and are mandating vaccination and masks for all who come into the building (with the exception of children who are not yet eligible). They’ve even included a waiver with their guidelines, so that anyone coming into the building won’t sue them, if they do contact Covid-19 during a church event. Another response from First Unitarian, Portland, Oregon, is to remain virtual during this time: for both worship and all church events, including religious education.

I sense this is a frustrating time for many people in our church community. Based on my interaction with our friends and members, there are some who are desiring to pull back due to frustration/overwhelm. And there are some who are chomping at the bit to do something, especially desiring something in person. I appreciate both groups. I held a ministry meeting a couple weeks ago, and there are some updates. Gary Davenport is hoping to transition out of being a Social Justice Coordinator, and instead leading the effort on Green Sanctuary. Kathleen Hogue, our DRE, was approved for vaccinations, and has received the first dose already. So far, Kathleen has shared there is not much response from families or parents: I’m assuming because of the overwhelm of their day to day schooling during this time. My recommendation to Kathleen is that if we don’t get a significant response from families, that we should continue to offer programming that has already been planned, but that perhaps she can shift her energy to small group ministry and Adult Religious Education. I’m open to other suggestions, or if you too think this is a good idea. Melissa Smith and Karen Lapidus are set to go with Starting Point, and last I checked they had 13 participants (a mix of newcomers and longtime members). They are discerning whether this will be a hybrid program or completely virtual. Linda Scharf will continue offering Meditation, and will be using Jack Kornfield’s The Wise Heart as the text for reflection and discussion. Linda Mohn and the ministry group reflected that the greatest hospitality moment last year was the Christmas Gift Baskets. Linda is planning to do this again this coming Christmas, and I suggested that perhaps we can offer something small and meaningful during Halloween or Thanksgiving as well.

We have had one hybrid worship service so far this year. I’m curious if you have heard any feedback from others, or if you attended, what you thought/felt. I was curious if it was a worthwhile experience. Going forward, I’m wondering if we should explore opportunities to continue gathering outside either in our cars or some other way. It is also a possibility that we explore how we can introduce ventilation systems into the sanctuary. But my gut sense is that using zoom until it is safer for our congregation to gather in person may be the wisest choice, both for our volunteer tech team, and our friends/members as a whole. I think part of embracing possibility is having a long term view. I think our priorities are in the right place: valuing human life, valuing the energy and time of our volunteers, and setting reasonable expectations. But there are many ways we can respond to how we might worship, and I’m open to your sense.

Out in the community, I’ve really enjoyed being a Professor at YSU, teaching Intro to World Religions. I teach Tues and Thurs. 11 am-12:15 pm via zoom, and it’s been a great joy for

me. I’ve also been engaged (with some of our congregants) in joining the Stop the Violence marches and caravans. As many of you know, there has been an uptick in violence the last few months. I participated along with a couple of our members in a car caravan on the Southside, and it was incredibly moving. Neighbors came out of their home onto their porches and front lawns to cheer and give their show of support for cultivating peace. The caravan was over a mile long. There will be many more opportunities to engage the community in the coming months, and I’m really looking forward to this.