Hello, everyone,

I have been holding each and every one of you in my heart over the past several days. What a challenging time of uncertainty and big changes we are living through right now.

I already miss seeing your faces and being with you in person!

This physical distancing thing is really hard. And, it helps me to know that this practice is helping to keep us all safe and healthy and to protect those most vulnerable to the coronavirus in our community.

I hope that you are finding good ways to take care of yourself during this time, and if you are in need of any kind of support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I wanted to share with you a few updates which you can also read about in this newsletter.

The Executive Team has been meeting frequently to determine how we as a church move forward in continuing to carry out our mission with new constraints and realities.

We will not have in person worship services through at least April 12 or as long as the Governor’s Executive Order stays in place which restricts gatherings over 50 people.

The building will also be closed to all events through April 15.

In the meantime, your church staff and leadership are working together to determine the best ways to stay connected and meet your spiritual needs in these challenging times. We would love to hear from you about what you are needing right now, so please be in touch.

I will also be holding “online office hours” on Friday, March 20th from 9AM-10:30AM. Join by Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/740986028 or call in by phone  +1 646 558 8656 (Meeting ID: 740 986 028).

These are trying times for sure. Yet, I have also been witnessing how this time of challenge has been inspiring compassion, creativity, and new possibilities.

This past Sunday, I really felt the love of this place shining through as some of us were gathered in the sanctuary leading worship and others of you were in the kitchen at the same time preparing the Monday community lunch to be served the next day. From top to bottom this place is filled with love, and even though we are not gathered here together, I know that same love continues to animate our community and each of you.

So, let’s continue practicing physical distancing for now but also social solidarity with Love at the heart of it all.

Love,

Rev. Joan