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Dear Beloved Congregants,
Over the past several days, in addition to monitoring guidance from the CDC as well as state and local health departments, I have had extensive consultations with members of our church who are professors of epidemiology at UNC, as well as with members of the Board of Trustees, our staff, and other lay leaders. Being the good scientists, leaders, and Unitarian Universalists that they are, the advice I've received has differed.
Based on this advice, however, I have decided to
suspend all in-person church activities and programming including Sunday worship services and Religious Education.
This decision is made out of a desire to promote public health and protect high-risk populations in our church and wider community. To be honest with you, I hate this decision. The thought of an empty church this Sunday fills me with grief. It means so much to me, to see you every time the congregation gathers.
I want to assure you, that even though we will not be holding in-person programming for a time, we will not stop being a church. This Sunday morning, we will be posting videos of a sermon, music, a special message from Religious Education, and more on the church website. We will also be expanding our capabilities for livestreaming and online meetings.
In addition, we will be transforming the efforts of the Caring Ministry and Welcoming Ministry to help us all stay connected. Please know that the church has financial assistance available. If the disruptions caused by COVID-19 are challenging, we, as a church, want to find a way to assist you.
Please stay tuned as we continue to communicate about ways we can live our mission to nurture spiritual growth, support and care for one another, and effect change through our love of the world.
With Love,
Rev. Thom
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