Together Again! A July 4th Celebration
At long last, the day has arrived. This Sunday, July 4th, we will celebrate Independence Day in more than one way. Due to the hard work of the science and medical community, the good will and commitment to well-being of self and others among so many of our citizens, we have come to a place where we feel relatively safe gathering again in our building. We can celebrate independence from months of lock down and fear.
We know not everyone will be at the same stage of readiness for togetherness. While some of us may be eager to get back and fully engage in what once felt normal, we know that our youngest people are still not able to receive the vaccination. Among us will be individuals with a variety of reasons for feeling the need to be cautious. Some of you may choose to stay home and hopefully catch us on our best attempt to livestream the service. Others of you may come with masks on and a desire to socially distance. Wherever you are in this journey we are taking together, I hope we will all feel supported in the choices we make for our own sense of comfort and safety.
After 16 months of learning and adapting to ever-changing circumstances, we enter yet another phase of adapting and adjusting. We will continue to pay attention to health guidelines and safety procedures, knowing we have not reached the finish line yet.
It has been such a joy to work with so many of our church leaders who have given heart and soul and untold hours of commitment to learn and grow in new and unforeseen ways. I think we have stretched in every direction imaginable to achieve goals of sustaining our community and our mission.
I am grateful to all of you who have remained loving and supportive through the months of struggle that have no doubt changed us all in ways we have yet to discover. May our coming together on July 4th, whether in person or in spirit, be a time of Joy and Celebration, as well as acknowledgement of the many losses and griefs we have known.
In love and hope,
Rev. Alice