Rev. Joseph Boyd
It seems we are at the beginning of something important. We are transitioning into a new stratosphere of relating, one place where humankind has never gone before. That is until now. As the United States begins to ease restrictions on masks and physical distancing for those who are vaccinated, we are not going back to what we have known. Many of you have been experiencing this yourself. It is taking some getting used to, and there seems to be a kind of physical and psychological memory that has been honed over the last 15 months, an acute awareness of our physical relation to others that doesn’t seem to be leaving us, at least for now. We are recalibrating every second, and integrating new behaviors that are influenced by our cumulative experiences. To state the obvious, this has not been a one size fits all experience. Some still feel more comfortable wearing masks even though they’re vaccinated, and that’s ok. Some are comfortable experiencing a relaxing of restrictions with close family or friends, and are less excited to open that same level of relating to strangers or people not known well. Some I know are transitioning quite quickly and meeting with whoever they can who has been vaccinated. And of course there is a sizable portion of the population that never really adjusted to health protocols except when forced to by businesses or workplaces.

And our experience of loss during this time is also diverse and various. Many have lost loved ones, some employment, some experiencing great fear and trepidation for ourselves and loved ones. But even for those who have not had the most acute experiences during this time, all of us have had to shift how we relate to ourselves and each other. There have been some unexpected opportunities that have come from this. We have been able to be on more equal footing with those who are homebound or who prefer to be home for the sake of ease. We have had time, for some people too much time, to contemplate and reflect on ourselves and the state of the world. We have been able to witness very directly our impact on the environment through the ceasing of certain business practices. Some have been able to spend more time with their children and families, and I know a few people that are seeking to change their lifestyle so that this experience can continue. We have found ways to more fully utilize technology to connect across the globe. We have discovered how much work can be done without physically going to a cubicle or an office.

On a micro-level here at UUYO, we have discovered a whole new way of living out our mission. I’m amazed that due to the perseverance of our board and church leadership, we have not just hung in during this time, but have actually extended the reach and discovered new depths of our mission. Our mission is to serve and transform. That is what we’ve done over the last 15 months. We have served each other and been transformed. And during this new transition, when we are slowly coming back together in person, this will be our continuity – to serve and transform through every safe and healthy means possible.

I’m very proud of our community, and it has renewed my sense of hope at what church can mean for each of us and our society as a whole. I have certainly developed new skill sets and comfort with utilizing technology to communicate a message of love and justice. I’m much more at ease now with filming, zooming, recording, and delivering a message out into the ether for the entire world to discover now or sometime in the future. I’ve developed more ease in transition from my personal home life into the life of ministry, all in the same relative location of my home. I’m actually curious as we transition to in-person meeting how much of what we’ve learned may still be preferable or utilized in some way. I now know in a way that I never knew before, that there will no longer be a Sunday when church will be cancelled due to weather. Because I simply can lead service from home, even if I and no one can drive – worship will forever be accessible and doable as long as there is internet access. That is another thing we learned – is how to not take certain things for granted – like internet access, access to a computer, access to basic needs like shelter, food, and financial support.

That being said, I’m looking forward to this transition to in-person gatherings beyond our close friends and family. On June 2nd here in the state of Ohio all mask regulations will be lifted in line with the latest recommendation from the Center of Disease Control that vaccinated persons who are not immunocompromised are no longer required to mask and physical distance. First I would like to state the obvious, an important fact that should shape our sensibility going forward. This loosening of the guidelines does not apply as of now to those who are immunocompromised, unvaccinated, and children under 12 who, as of now don’t have access to the vaccine.  That is a sizable portion of the population that is still at greater risk, more vulnerable, and will arguably become more vulnerable once restrictions loosen. I think it is part of the mission of this church that we always seek to see any given situation from the perspective of the most vulnerable. That is why as a church we are committed to maintaining our virtual option through phone, laptop, and desktop to keep those groups connected in all we’re doing.

So I thought I would go through some of the reopening guidelines and offer some explanation to give all of us more clarity going forward. First, I would like to state the obvious about this reopening which will go into effect June 1. I expect that there is plenty we will learn as we do it. We decided to take a gradual approach to re-opening for two main reasons. One of those reasons is so that each of us can get accustomed to being in small groups again, groups of 10 people or under indoors. That number can increase if we’re meeting outdoors due to the lower risk of transmission, and if there is adequate space. I think coming together will be a personal journey for each of us, and understandably each of us will need to go at our own pace and comfort level. We are asking those who are immunocompromised, unvaccinated, and children under twelve to continue to utilize our virtual option as your primary connection. If you do attend an event, we are asking that you mask and physical distance for our collective well-being. We have decided to use an honor system rather than have any group leader be in charge of checking vaccination cards and be put in the position of allowing or denying anyone. We trust you as a community, and we trust you to do what is best to keep yourself and our community safe. The second reason we took a gradual approach to reopening is to give us time to transition to a hybrid ministry which will simultaneously be virtual and in person. This, as far as I know, has never been done before. We have certainly had in person meetings with one person on a conference call, but we never included multiple people who are able to see and hear what is happening in person and fully participate from home. I think this will take practice and won’t come automatically.

I also want to state the obvious that it is not a requirement that every group affiliated with church meet in person. It is ok to be 100% virtual if that is what best serves the needs of the group.

As we re-open to small groups affiliated with the church of 10 and under who may meet in person and offer a virtual option for those who can’t or prefer not to attend in person, we will continue to have our worship services streaming virtually June-August. Our goal is to use that time to transition into a new way of utilizing our technology, so that come September, we are ready to offer a good in-person and virtual experience for all our friends and members. I’m very much looking forward to that transition, and putting the time into planning that out with the help of our tech crew.

At this time, I would also like to state the obvious. We expect that things may change over the next 3-6 months. My hope is that the change will be increased access and utilization of the vaccine, and that we are able to confidently defend ourselves from other strains that have developed. So far the CDC is confident that we are protected from these strains by getting the vaccination, and I hope that more and more people, including children are able to take full advantage of this. It is also possible that we may need to quarantine again, or back off from our original intent to meet in person. I hope that is not the case, but it’s possible. So we are ready to be nimble during the next 3-6 months as we stay attentive, and by us, I mean we. To do this will take a collective effort, a collective patience, and much more tenderness and kindness than you’ve perhaps been asked to demonstrate before in public. I am asking you first and foremost to be gentle with yourself during this transition, and don’t push yourself unnecessarily.  

Respect your limits, and transition according to your own comfort zone, not someone else’s. I’m also asking that you respect the limits and process of others. It’s likely you may not know what that is until you’ve already crossed a boundary, gotten too close, or initiated touch, even a handshake without gauging the other person first. Take it slow with each other, and don’t make assumptions, as much as possible. It’s ok to ask each other in the group basic questions, without assuming you know the answer. It’s not only ok, but recommended that you ask things like, is this an appropriate distance, is it ok if I shake your hand or give you a hug, are you doing ok? Especially at first, if you haven’t seen a person in months, or especially if you have never met, it’s ok to ask each other these basic questions.

Another thing that I ask that you keep in mind: we have all gone through something traumatic and potentially life changing, and as we transition to in-person meetings it is normal to feel things that seem irrational: fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. You might experience feelings that surprise you and that you don’t fully understand, and that’s normal. You may also witness that experience in others; an added edge and extra sensitivity to stimulus. For some, it might open up the experience of loss, in a way that was not fully felt in quarantine. Again, this is normal under the circumstances. So be mindful of this both for yourself and the other people in your group. As a general rule, be gentle with yourself and one another, and don’t be afraid to ask basic questions about what another person is comfortable with at that moment. It may be a good idea for each group that meets in person to have a simple covenant about how we’re going to engage one another, paying special attention to leading with gentleness and not making assumptions about other people’s boundaries and comfort.

We want this to be a joyful and life giving experience both virtual and in person, and in order to do this we will have to learn a new way of being. We are beginning again. It is not going back to something we’ve known, it is something new. Respect that this is new, and don’t make assumptions.

We are leading the way into a new kind of beloved community, and this will take grace and patience. None of us knows completely how it will go exactly, but we are intending to lead with care and kindness for one another. The first step in being kind is to keep yourself and your community safe. The second is understanding that safety is not just physical, and is only complete with a vaccine. Safety is emotional, psychological and spiritual. That takes time to discover, to understand where you’re at and what you’re comfortable with. The second step is respecting where other people are at, even if they are at a different place than you. In closing, I’m looking forward to this gradual transition into hybrid ministry with both in person and virtual participation. As we make this transition, please be gentle with yourself and others. And know that I and the care team as well as your friends in this church are here to support you on this journey, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need. We are finding a whole new way of being a community: let us keep love and kindness at the forefront of our intention as we make this journey together.