The weather forecast predicts temperatures well over 100 Fahrenheit this Sunday. The “heat dome” that has been bringing record temperatures to much of the desert west is arriving in Portland. I love the warmth and light of summer, but I find myself so thankful for the blessing of NOT preaching from our Sanctuary this Sunday.
It is a reminder, as we emerge from the pandemic, of all the challenges…climate change, income inequality, white supremacy, police violence…that continue to demand our attention. I am holding that truth at the same time I welcome the more relaxed pace of summer and some time off.
At the church, we have already been planning the return to the Sanctuary for in-person worship in September. We continue to consult with our Public Health Team and will not make final decisions until August. Our initial plan is to make our return somewhat gradual, as we learn how many of us will continue to “attend” on-line. We’re using the term hybrid–meaning both in person and on line–a great deal.
We will probably begin with one service in the Sanctuary, following a short family service in the Chapel. Return to in-person church may be most gradual for families with younger members. Vaccine is anticipated to be available for folks under 12 only beginning in the fall. If there are more of us than one service in the sanctuary can accommodate, we will add a second. We’ll be limiting meetings at the church and not re-starting our rental operations until we have worship patterns established.
We plan another round of calls to members of the community in August. That will be an opportunity for us to hear the joys, the concerns, and the hopes of you all as we head toward Homecoming Sunday, September 12.
Look for much more and more detailed information about September plans later in the summer.
Through the summer, our services will continue to be virtual, with one service at 10:15. The Family Worship service will take a summer break, but there will be a “Story for all Ages” included in the sanctuary service, beginning July 11.
Summer worship will include two services from the UUA’s General Assembly (June 27 and July 4), a partnership with the Ann Arbor, MI congregation in early August, two wonderful virtual guest preachers (Tera Klein from Troop Memorial Church in Pasadena and Meg Barnhouse from Austin, Texas). Rev. Duane Fickeisen will return for the Labor Day Service. Both Rev. Tom and I will also be in the pulpit during July and August. Members of the “Quartet,” in several configurations, will be leading music. Worship will be varied and strong through the summer.
The Friday Vespers service, led by our Lay Ministry team, will continue as a part of our regular spiritual calendar.
This blog will begin sharing reflections from Rev. Tom and our Program Leaders, as well as from me. I’ve invited guest bloggers before and a platform for multiple staff voices has been so well received in our Staying Connected communication piece during the pandemic. In fact, you may have noticed that I am starting to call this the “Staying Connected Blog.” The blog posts will be sent out on Monday as Staying Connected reflections, and repeated on Thursday in our Front Steps e-News. This expands our outreach, helping to “connect” the church to our now broader and more geographically dispersed community.
I will continue to offer both pastoral letters and institutional updates, separately, but as needed and in addition to my posts in the blog. I also plan to continue to offer regular, open Q&A opportunities. These will, probably, now be hybrid.
Well, I hadn’t realized how much I had to update for you. Our plans coming out of the pandemic are clearly taking shape and energy on the staff is very positive as we point toward September.
I will be taking time off for renewal and study in July as I normally do.
Hoping the summer provides you renewal as well, as we all prepare to discover and help shape what our new normal will become.
Blessings,
Bill