Dear Members and Friends
,
Keeping our community safe from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been heavy on our minds and hearts these days as your congregational leadership team. No doubt you have felt similarly, especially as things have changed so rapidly. The staff had a different letter written to you yesterday evening, and this morning, your leadership made the difficult decision to shut down in-person operations at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation at least for the next four weeks.
This means,
WE WILL NOT BE HOLDING IN–PERSON WORSHIP
at least for the next four weeks. We will also be cancelling or postponing any congregational events that would have taken place. The leadership of the Unitarian Universalist Association, congregational leadership in areas currently more directed affected by the virus, and many other voices have led us to believe that this is a decision that is safest for all individuals and for our community at large. We have a moral obligation to help to slow down and prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as we possibly can.
We recognize that this is an unprecedented and disruptive decision which comes at a time when we are especially in need of each other’s caring presence, and we also believe that continuing to meet creates an unacceptable risk of contagion. Please know that during this period our staff, including our hourly staff, will continue to receive their salaries and will work remotely to the extent possible.
In the coming days and weeks we will look for ways that we can continue to connect with each other. We’re planning to livestream a shortened worship service on Sundays. (Details on that will be forthcoming.) Staff and lay leaders will explore creative avenues, including virtual gatherings, to allow us to remain in community. Together we will get through this difficult period.
We will send regular updates via eblast and via our Facebook page. Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns.
We hold you all in care and love in these anxious times.
The staff and board of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
