We are, many of us, living in that space after decisions have been made, when we begin to know what the ramifications of those decisions will surely be.

The decisions needed to be made. There was no real choice. The danger of not making those decisions was too great. But no one spoke of all the results.

The schools are closed. Those who can, work from home. Too many are not working at all and not being paid. Social distancing has become a way of life, bringing greater Isolation. Unemployment claims skyrocketing. The stock market crashing.

We are beginning to live with the ramifications of decisions that had to be made.

I write as a person of privilege. A person with a job who can work from home. A person with food in the pantry and a comfortable place to shelter in place. A person who is healthy…at least so far.

For privileged folks, like myself, one critical spiritual discipline, is to remain aware of the suffering of so many others. Those living in shelters where social distancing means fewer beds. The families with children at home that rely on free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches. The newly unemployed discovering just how porous our safety net has become. The workers in the gig economy with precious little safety net at all. This crisis and the decisions that we have made expose just how unfair we have allowed our world to remain.

May that awareness help us find ways to contribute. In the coming days, lay ministers, lay leaders and staff will be reaching out to every member in our community to ask both what we need but also what we can contribute. Many of us are already reaching out and taking care of one another and of others in our community.

Service and generosity are excellent antidotes to isolation and anxiety.

But also pay attention to your own needs for connection. Reaching out to others can be a gift to them, but also a gift to you.

And take time for do what you know nurtures your individual spirit. Walk outside in the sunshine. Fall on your knees in prayer. Play with your pets. You will be a better partner, a better helper and a better citizen if you are also refilling your spiritual fuel tank.

Join us for worship, live streamed at 10:15 on Sunday (with less than 10 people on the chancel, appropriate distance between us, and individual mic’s). More than 550 joined us last Sunday before our bandwidth ran out. We will offer several “portals” to get connected this week. And the whole service will be available for viewing (from the website) shortly after it is completed.

Look for “Staying Connected,” opportunities for personal centering and reflection that we will offer several times a week. The first of these went out by email on Tuesday, from Rev. Tom. Other staff will offer them as well.

As will I:

Staying Connected

We are beginning to live with the ramifications of decisions that had to be made.  The”…ultimate test, when the fear and grief finally give way to clarity, will be knowing ourselves by how well we cared for one another.”

• Rev. Erika Hewitt

How are you caring for yourself through these days? What are you doing to nurture your spirit today?

What are you doing to care for others, to contribute, to ease the suffering that is deepening?

How are you living out of and into the love that is the heart of our faith?

Blessings,

Bill