Like you, I’m sure, I had plans for this week, big plans. About 45 of us, most of us from Champaign-Urbana, were headed to Alabama this week for a Living Legacy Pilgrimage to civil rights sites. A little over a week ago that trip was cancelled by the organization planning the pilgrimage, and since then, so much has happened. Performances have been cancelled or closed, weddings, classes, graduations, competitions, conferences, vacations, restaurants, dates…you name it. There have been many disappointments and disruptions, I know. But as an article in The Atlantic last week recommended: Cancel Everything!
Less than a week ago, after working closely with Julie Pryde from the Champaign Urbana Public Health District – and Julie should have a super-hero cape, if she doesn’t already have one – we made the momentous decision to cancel our in-person Sunday morning services, moving to online streaming of the service, followed by completely closing our building, for the safety of staff, volunteers, renters, and visitors. All staff are now working from home, and I want to assure you that all UUCUC staff (with the exception of childcare workers) are still receiving their salaries and benefits through this time.
(Some of you may have heard that I was in self quarantine last weekend, due to a possible exposure to COVID-19. Thankfully, the test for that person came back negative, and I am completely fine.)
This letter is to let you know about some of our plans for maintaining the connections and community that this congregation expresses so beautifully. Almost everything is “currently under construction” but we are working hard to put things in place so that all are supported.
Meanwhile, I urge you to take the recommendations from our awesome Public Health District very seriously RIGHT NOW, just as we did as a church. Julie Pryde is clear that the virus is circulating widely in our community now. Please do not think of yourself as an exception, no matter your age and health condition. Each one of us can play our part in slowing the epidemic by not carrying it, catching it, or passing it to others. Up to 10% of cases may be contracted from those who have no symptoms ( https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-study-estimates-rate-of-silent-transmission#Silent-transmission). So just because you are feeling fine does not mean you won’t cause serious illness for a beloved or a stranger. Especially if you are older or have underlying health issues, please, for the love of all that is holy, stay home and don’t mingle. I do not want you, or anyone, to become another statistic. Sorry to preach here – so to speak – but this is a very serious issue.
Mick McEnroe, UUCUC member, mentioned that maybe there are better words for this than “social distancing” since actually we are social creatures. How about “physical distancing” or my favorite, “social solidarity“?
So, in the spirit of social solidarity, these are some of the ways we hope to create and deepen our solidarity and community, while doing our part, as UUs, to keep those around us healthy and alive.
Streaming Sunday Services
From now until we are given the “all clear” by Public Health, we will be live-streaming our Sunday service, thanks to our outstanding AV team. Last week and for the next couple of weeks we are planning to stream from our sanctuary, with a small worship group. You can always find the live stream link by going to https://uucuc.org/worship/livestream-at-uucuc/. If you have a joy or sorrow to share at an upcoming service, please email me at minister@uucuc.org. You can also find previous videos of our services on that page. Starting THIS SUNDAY we hope to have a Zoom based Fellowship Hour – stay tuned for more information about that! You will, however, have to make your own coffee.
Worshipful Listening/Check-Ins Mondays and Thursdays
On Monday and Thursday nights at 5:15, I/we will offer an hour on Zoom for anyone to call in and find a moment of calm and renewal, with an opening reading, brief check in, sharing of joys and sorrows, and short guided meditation. To join, click on this link or dial in, calling 1-312-626-6799 and entering meeting ID # 531 676 7272. If this is your first time on Zoom, please click the link to register before we begin. If you have any trouble with Zoom, please email Sherry at membership@uucuc.org. You may also want to have your own chalice to light – any candle will do – even a battery operated one!
Buddy System
Community and connection matter tremendously at a moment like this, more than we can imagine, and that’s what we do best as a congregation. But we are a big enough congregation now that we are concerned that some might “fall through the cracks” and become ill or struggle without us even knowing about it. Please, whatever your situation, consider signing up for the buddy system to check in with another person regularly through this time: https://uucuc.breezechms.com/form/2184f1. For more information, contact Sherry at membership@uucuc.org
Pastoral Care and Support
This looks to be a rough road ahead. Although the church offices are not open, I am available for support and deep conversation through the same scheduler that I have used to schedule in-person meetings. To schedule a time to talk with me, please click here: Once Hub. Please let me know if you’d like to meet by phone or by video chat. If you have an urgent pastoral care need, please call the office at (217) 384-8862 and my extension. I will receive an email notification and will return your call promptly. Rev. Bill Breeden is also available by phone at 812-360-1779. By next week we will have a 24/7 “Warm Line” for pastoral care, so you can talk to someone day or night.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mick McEnroe is holding gatherings of the Sunday Mindfulness Meditation group via Google Hangouts, both of Sunday mornings before the service and at other times. This is an important time to start or renew a meditation practice. If you would like to connect with the Mindfulness group, please add your name via this form.
Other Support
We have many other ideas for ongoing support, still in an early planning phase: continuing our Soul Matters and other groups online, offering regular video guided meditations and music, connecting through Facebook (if you are a member or friend of the congregation, please join the UUCUC Members and Friends group), sharing COVID-19 resources through our website….or….
Do you have an idea? Let us know!
If you are a leader of a committee or small group, and need technical help for setting up meetings for your group, Brian Franklin will be back in the office on Monday.
We are in deep and unknown waters, and things are changing rapidly. Please take good care of yourself – enough sleep, walks, talking with friends wherever they may be, reading things that inspire you, connecting with the earth and the sky. All these things help, no matter what the situation may be.
If you find yourself checking news obsessively, try standing up, stretch, and let your eyes rest on something that gives you joy. If you find yourself spiraling into worry, try calling someone, or go outside and enjoy the first signs of spring, which are everywhere.
Please reach out to the church if you become ill, if isolation or worry begins to be too much, or if you receive a positive COVID-19 test. We want to be here for you, and we can only do that if we know what is happening for you.
The first Sunday I spoke in your pulpit, almost three years ago, I asked the choir to sing the song “I’m Gonna Walk It With You”. When I listen to this song now, these words seem even more true today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8boCrXOp9M. We can do this.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Florence Caplow