Important Letter from Rev. Florence Caplow in Response to Coronavirus

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Rev. Florence Caplow and Rev. Bill Breeden discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the UUCUC community and changes to church scheduling.


Dear Friends and Members of UUCUC,

Friends, we are living through a time of an unprecedented challenge, and I am writing to assure you that the staff and leadership of UUCUC are working on finding ways that keep us all both safe and connected.

As I know you’re aware, although there are no known cases in C-U yet, this virus is spreading exponentially, there is no vaccine, and there is also increased risk of severe, life-threatening complications for those between over 60 (increasing with age), and those with underlying health challenges.

Minimizing contact with large groups and hand washing are our most powerful strategies right now, and this is not just for older people; if younger people also do this, we will slow the spread and help hospitals and other support systems have time to ramp up to be able to take care of all those who become sick. This is called “flattening the curve”. There is a great article about this, and why how we all behave matters and can save lives: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/what-flatten-curve-chart-shows-how-critical-it-everyone-fight-n1155636

This week I reached out to the Public Health District to ask for their guidance. I have also been in contact with UU ministers from across the country.

The Public Health District asked us to move toward all-online Sunday services and other events as quickly as possible, to minimize risk of transmission to our older members, friends, and visitors, as well as the community as a whole.

They believe that the virus is already circulating in our community, undetected at this moment. They are making this request to all local churches. Your Board of Trustees is supportive of taking all necessary precautions and following official guidance from the Public Health Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Luckily for us, we have already begun live-streaming our services, and our wonderful AV volunteers are willing to step up to help.

Here are the ways we are working to keep us all SAFE, in this rapidly evolving situation:

  • This Sunday, the 15th, and subsequent Sundays, we ask that you stay home unless you are part of creating the service. We will continue live streaming each Sunday until the Public Health Department tells us that it is safe to resume services. There will be a live stream link on our website, in the upper right hand corner of our home page. Public Health has told us that these recommendations are in place until May 15th, subject to re-evaluation.
  • To reduce exposure risk to staff and their households, our staff will be working from home, and the church offices and meeting rooms will be closed as of March 16th. We anticipate offering training for leaders so that committees, classes, and small groups can meet online, if at all possible. Additional information will be provided soon. It may take us a few weeks to get everyone up to speed. Meanwhile, consider whether you still need to meet, or if you can meet via conference call If you are teaching a class, consider whether you can offer the class online.
  • Sadly, it is recommended that our choir not rehearse during this time, although if you are a member of the choir and would be willing to offer music in a smaller ensemble for some services, please let our choir director, Austin Cody, know of your interest.
  • Finally, personal measures: try to stay at least 3 feet away from others when you are in public situations. Wash hands frequently, don’t touch your face, and stock up on two weeks of food NOW. If you need help with stocking up, please reach out to us and we can help.

Here are the ways we are working toward making sure we are all CONNECTED:

  • We will be starting a “Buddy System” for all who want to participate. You can sign up here: https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/2184f1. Buddies will check in with each other regularly by phone to provide connection, companionship, and connections to help if needed. This is a great way to help each other.
  • If you are a member of a small group at the church, consider taking on being an informal buddy to someone else in your group.
  • Care Core will be reaching out to those who are homebound.
  • We are planning that I, along with other staff and volunteers, will be available to talk with anyone who needs to talk or needs support during this time. We will establish a special number you can call, day or night.
  • We will be sending out regular emails to update you on this situation, as it evolves.
  • There may be ways we can help our larger community, and we will be sharing those with you.
  • We will be offering drop-in Zoom group calls twice a week, where we can all share how we are doing.
  • I will offer weekly guided meditations.
  • If you are not already part of our UUCUC Members and Friends Facebook page, please consider joining.
  • We have established a Coronavirus Information and Planning page on our website. Check back to find resources there.

I’m sure there are other ways we will find to stay connected, as this unfolds. Please email or call with any ideas. This congregation has “superpowers” of generosity, kindness, and warmth, and these things will really matter in the coming weeks.

In February our Soul Matters theme was “Resilience”. Well, now we have a chance to practice resilience, and be a support to others in our broader community. My heart is full of love and appreciation for you all. We can do this, and we will find our own unique ways of taking care of one another, I know.

My favorite chalice extinguishing words are these, by Elizabeth Selle Jones. We will end our services with these words until we are together again. And we will be!

“We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.”

Love and blessings,
Rev. Florence Caplow

This is what Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, President of the UUA, had to say today.

I am very proud of the creativity and resilience of our communities, especially the congregations who have already implemented no in-person gatherings. Many of them have found a level of wisdom, teamwork, and flexibility in their congregations that they didn’t know they had.