Dear Ones,
This evening the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees made the very difficult decision to cancel church this coming Sunday, March 15. We have also canceled all church events, including the March 14 Concert for a Cause, until further notice. (Yes, we will refund ticket costs.) We hope to have a mechanism for streaming worship services up and running by next Sunday, March 22.
The Executive Committee is exercising caution in light of the spreading covid-19 illness. The decision was not taken lightly but with careful consideration of available facts and guidance. In particular, the Executive Committee noted the Brunswick School Committee’s decision to limit school gatherings to no more than 50 people and the UUA’s urging that congregations limit gatherings to no more than 25 people. Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, President of the UUA, writes, “we strongly recommend that congregations avoid gatherings of more than 25 people, including worship and religious education, for the time being.”
To some of you, our decision may seem prudent in light of current health concerns. To others, our decision may seem overly cautious. I ask everyone to consider this: Everything I have read about minimizing the impact of the illness advocates social distancing. The timing of that distancing is critical. Social distancing is most effective when implemented early, when there may not appear to be a threat, rather than waiting until the threat is upon us. Implemented early and wisely, social distancing slows the spread of the pandemic, making it more likely hospitals and medical professionals will be able to handle active cases. History shows that if we wait for an emergency, hospitals and medical staff become overwhelmed, and sick people cannot be treated. That’s the situation in Italy right now. We want to avoid that here. (For more information: https://qz.com/1816060/a-chart-of-the-1918-spanish-flu-shows-why-social-distancing-works/)
One of the pillars of our Mission Statement is “to nurture one another.” I know that may seem hard to do when we are not congregating, but think of it this way: Providing for our mutual health safety is a way of nurturing. In this case, ironically, we will nurture best when we nurture from a distance. Some folks in our congregation already live in somewhat isolated situations. Please give those folks a call, just to listen and help them feel connected to UUCB. If you need someone to listen to you, please give me a call. If I am not at the church office, you can reach me on my cell phone: 508-596-5181.
Among the many ironies of canceling congregational events now is the fact that our closure comes in the middle of our annual pledge drive. In fact, this coming Sunday I was to have delivered my pledge drive sermon. Perhaps the inability to congregate will make our gatherings all the more precious to you. Perhaps the opportunity to slow down on Sunday morning instead of rushing off to church will give you a chance to think about your pledge, fill in the forms, and send them to the church office. (You can pledge on-line, too: https://www.uubrunswick.org/online-pledging/) Whatever the case, I encourage you to pledge generously so that our church will continue to thrive.
I cannot tell you how much to pledge, but I can say Steve and I have filled out our form. Our pledge to the church is the most generous contribution we give to any organization. We give because we love this congregation and we believe in its power to effect positive change the lives of individuals and the wider community. This coming year we are giving generously even though I will have to absent myself from the congregation when I leave in June. We want UUCB to continue to grow and thrive, even in our absence, and we know our pledge will help in some small way to make that possible.
Meanwhile, the work of this church year continues, even though we will not be meeting for worship or religious exploration for a while. The church leadership is closely monitoring the situation, and we will re-open as soon as possible. Also, as soon as we have the information, we will communicate how to access future worship services and religious exploration activities via the Internet. Until then, hold one another close in your hearts. I look forward to the time when we can gather together again. I close with a beautiful poem written by UU poet the Rev. Lynn Ungar.
Pandemic, by Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.Promise this world your love—
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
Until we meet again. I love you,
Sylvia