Category: Staying Connected

An Update from the Reopening Committee

12/30/2020

Dearest community,
As vaccines begin to roll out and we mark the longest nights of the year, many of us are celebrating our first hints of future light and hope at the end of what has been a long and lonely ten months. Your re-opening committee has been meeting regularly to discuss not how to open our church – our church community has always been open – but when we might be able to see one another in person and how we can best do that safely.

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Ideas for Pandemic-Safe, Boredom-Busting Activities

12/10/2020

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In September 2020, members of the Living the Homestretch committee shared a presentation on many different ways that people can learn, explore, and entertain themselves while remaining safe at home or socially distancing. The ideas shared ranged from scenic local walks, to programs offered by universities, to virtually visiting museums, and even to taking a peek into outer space! While some programs are specific to elders, many options are open to people of all ages. At the end of the meeting, participants shared their own ideas for fun and enriching pandemic activities, adding more options for anyone looking for a meaningful way to spend some winter weeks indoors. Check out the list here: safe_pandemic_activities.pdf.

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Print and color an ornament for our Bard Hall Paper Tree

12/1/2020

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We won't be putting up an actual tree this year, but we will be creating a two-dimensional paper tree for Bard Hall's window! If you'd like to help decorate that tree, print out the PDF, decorate the ornament and/or paper chain strips, cut them out and return to church. You can drop them off at the Holiday Drive Through or drop them in the Main Office mail slot no later than noon on Dec 19, 2020.

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"Moments" a poem by Pam Bates

11/23/2020

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That moment
When you see someone
You haven't seen in awhile!
You both look up
You recognize
Behind your masks, you smile
And then you both
Move awkwardly
As if to share a hug
And stop
Asif a wall were there
So you don't spread the bug
That moment
When you hear that camp
Is cancelled for this year
You know that
It's the right choice
But you can't hold back a tear
That moment
When your child asks
"Can I go see my friend?"
You weigh the risks
You share your fears
They ask, "When will this end?"
That moment
When you hear the news
Someone you know has died
You wish that you
Could be there
For the family as they cry
That moment When you see someone

Who will not wear a mask
Your anger
overwhelms you
Why is this too much to ask?
That moment
When a co-worker
Hugs their child while you're on Zoom
Everyone
Smiles a little
Even once they've left the room
That moment
When your quiet time
Gazing at the clouds
Is fractured by
The sound of someone
Talking much too loud
A family
Passes, laughing
at their dog, they say hello
A child
Stops and says
"Nice birds" and then they go
That moment
When you know our lives
Will never be the same
And if they could
Would that be good?
Or would it be a shame?

Pam Bates identifies as a mom, a UU, and a permanent student of life, humanity, and divinity.

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"One Way" - a poem by Harry Griswold

11/23/2020

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Here's a wonderful new poem from Harry Griswold, one of our members. It is entitle "One Way".

We're UU's, we tolerate,
we try not to impose
just one point of view,
but for this year of
Covid Thanksgiving
we hope you
won't travel
won't gather in groups
won't hug
won't jabber
around the table
with your mouth and
everyone else's open.

It's a great chance
not to have to listen
to your brother-in-law
or weird uncle Leo
who Grandma thinks
may have been
mixed up at birth.
There'll be fewer fights
and a lot less passing
of the sweet potatoes
someone has coughed in,
plus a lot less chance
of handing around
a potentially deadly virus.

So while we UU's try
not to impose any one
point of view
we think this year
there's only one way
to be safe, we hope
you'll stay home
and give up happy things
you'd rather be doing,
give up the people
you'd rather be with
to help increase chances
they'll all be around
for next year's gathering
when we can
stuff the thanks back
into Thanksgiving.
~ Harry Griswold

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Day of the Dead

10/21/2020

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Day of the Dead vespers by Rev. Tania Marquez

Day of the Dead has been an important celebration for so many of us for the last few years. I have felt grateful for the opportunity to share with this congregation this holiday during worship. And I know this is a meaningful service for so many of our Mexican, Mexican-American, and Latinx members. An affirmation of our culture and an opportunity to honor our beloved dead in community. The pandemic has already prevented us from gathering and celebrating so many occasions together: Easter, Pride, Pachamama, and more. For our services and some rituals, we have tried new virtual ways to recreate them. But, leading a Day of the Dead service online didn’t feel right to me this year.

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Practicing Self-Care

4/7/2020

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Church member and psychologist Lynn Northrop and her colleague Amanda Mendez are sharing an important tool for self-care in the time of COVID-19. This tool, rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, was created by psychologist Russ Harris. I hope you find this helpful and my deep appreciation to Lynn and Amanda for sharing this tool. ~ Rev. Kathleen Download a worksheet based on the video worksheet en Espaniol | worksheet in English.

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An Update from the Reopening Committee

Ideas for Pandemic-Safe, Boredom-Busting Activities

Print and color an ornament for our Bard Hall Paper Tree

"Moments" a poem by Pam Bates

"One Way" - a poem by Harry Griswold

Day of the Dead

Practicing Self-Care

Join Rev. Kathleen for Meditation Monday

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