This is How We are Going to Live

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Beloveds,

Today the regional stay-at-home orders arrived, and the restrictions on our lives continue to increase. Lately, I can’t get Marge Piercy’s poem “The Seven of Pentacles” out of my mind, especially the line: 

This is how we are going to live for a long time, but not always

We may be here, each in our homes, physically distant, for a long while. There is much loss in this time, so much uncertainty. Without annual events like the Council on World Affairs and the Bolder Boulder that connect the community and provide us something to look forward to, we may feel adrift. With long awaited milestones like graduations, family reunions, and anniversary celebrations knocked off their chronological pedestal, we may feel anger. With the anxiety of an invisible sickness making its way through our community, we may feel scared. And for some, there may be a sense of relief, a welcome change of pace, a reconnecting to family and the earth. Be gentle with yourself and whatever emotions are arising for you during this time. There is nothing to judge, just notice them arising and let them be.

As the magnitude of this worldwide pandemic started to enter my awareness, I began asking myself and congregational leaders:

What if everything you and I have experienced to date 

has prepared us for this moment in our history?

This week, as a spiritual practice, I invite you to find some quiet time, center yourself, and make a few lists. You may choose to do this over a number of days, or all at once. Keep adding to your lists as more items arise for you:

  • Name 50 people who have influenced your life — include people you know personally, and people you have never met; include people living today, and any ancestors; include people whose names you know, and people who remain anonymous to you.
  • Name 20 experiences that have influenced your life — include high points and low points, ordinary and peak experiences, events with personal impact and events with global impact.
  • Name 10 personal attributes you have that serve you well — things like a sense of humor, generosity, kindness, etc.  Include attributes you freely share now, and those that have been dormant for a while.

Trust that you have what you need. 

Trust that you are not alone.

Trust that we will get through this together.  

Practicalities:

Connecting via Zoom

We understand finding one’s way into a  “Zoom Room” can be challenging and we are trying to minimize the confusion.  

All Fellowship Sunday Services can be found at:  https://uuma.zoom.us/j/7202728284

or call in at: 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 720 272 8284

There is also a link on the home page of the Fellowship website.

Meetings with me will also be on this same Zoom link. 

All School of the Spirit events can be found at: https://zoom.us/j/552956886  

Zoom links for any Fellowship meetings will be made available on our calendar, found here: Fellowship google calendar.

Sunday Services 

It has been such a joy to see your faces on Sunday these past few weeks. Even more folks were able to join us this past Sunday with our new expanded Zoom capacity. Invite your friends! 

Sunday Services will continue to be held at 12:30 p.m., with School of the Spirit Zoom class at 11:45 a.m.  

For the coming weeks, we will be grounding ourselves in the Five Jagged Rocks of Unitarian Universalism. Each Sunday, we will focus on one aspect of our theology and how it can provide strongholds during these uncertain times.  

March 29:  There is a Unity that Makes Us One  — Dana Samani and Chris Rathweg, service associates, with Rev. Lydia

April 5:  Courageous Love Transforms the World   (UUSC Sunday)  — Rev. Lydia, Rev. Catharine Harris and Pete Wernick, service associate

April 12:  Salvation in This Life: EASTER Reinterpreted  Rev. Lydia and Karin Griglak

April 19:  All Souls are Sacred and Worthy  Eric Williams and Irene Faivre, service associates

April 26:  Truth Continues to be Revealed  Rev. Lydia and Irene Faivre, service associate

Office Hours

Each week, I’ll open my Zoom Room for anyone who wants to hang out. (Zoom office hours!)  Here’s my office hours schedule for the next couple of weeks:

  • Tuesday, March 31, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 1, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 2, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 8, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.

Pledge Drive

Please remember that we have extended our pledge drive, and are still waiting to hear from about 65 anticipated members and friends.  How grateful I am that people have already pledged $404K towards our $489K pledge drive goal.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

During these uncertain times, we understand that you must make the best decisions you can for yourself and for what you can share with the Fellowship. Sending in a pledge, no matter the amount, enables the Fellowship to plan for the coming year. Even telling us you are unable to pledge this year (by writing the word “exemption” on your pledge card, or in the on-line pledge form) will help us wrap up this pledge drive and create our 2020-21 budget. Your generosity shows up in so many ways, and inspires me deeply.

Caring and Being Cared for

Caring needs are likely to increase as we hit the peak of this virus and social isolation and the global economic crisis impact our most vulnerable populations. If you would like to be a part of our growing caring network, email the Neighborhood Connector Coordinators, Sharon Hardin and Sheri Price. If you would like support, email laycarecoordinator@bvuuf.org.

See after my signature for recommended online resources for up-to-date information, and for important information communicated in my last letter.

May we continue to bring love, reason, compassion and justice into the world, no matter how we gather, 

Rev. Lydia, 

on behalf of the COVID-19 Preparedness team

  • Carol Pranschke, Office Manager; 
  • Jessica Laikeman, Director Lifespan Faith Formation; 
  • Marky Lloyd, Board President; 
  • Deborah Mensch, A/V; 
  • Nancy DiLaura, Vice President; 
  • Karen Axe, Health Information Task Force; 
  • Judy Schmidt, Health Information Task Force;
  • Constance Holden, Caring Council; and
  • Janet Meyer, Communication and Personnel

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Recommended links for online, reputable sources for more information:

  • Please use reputable websites for accurate information including the World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDHPE), and your county health department. These websites often link to other sites they have vetted and consider accurate.

You can expect to receive weekly information from me in these forms:

  • an email communication with this same title from me on Wednesdays
  • a link on Connections Weekly on Fridays, and
  • an update on Sundays, no matter how we gather
  • these will be linked to Facebook etc.