As I write this, I am still processing what COVID-19 means for our community, our nation, and our world. I’m guessing many of us feel the same. Having survived extreme weather, natural disasters, and even military-imposed curfew as a humanitarian worker in the Middle East, I haven’t seen anything yet like the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are receiving hourly updates about testing and new cases, precautionary measures, self-quarantine, and state-ordered closures as we try to stop the spread of the virus and focus resources on those who are sick. UUCP has suspended Sunday Services and gatherings of more than 10 people until at least April 12. There are 30 cases of coronavirus in Escambia County confirmed as of March 29. We all are sending our prayers and healing energy to our neighbors who have contracted the virus as well as those who are at high risk of illness.

Board members, team leaders, Rev. Alice, and Cluster Group captains are keeping in touch to determine what is best for our congregation. We are concentrating on supporting our members who are most affected by this unusual situation and maintaining the connections of our Beloved Community. Some members will take a significant financial hit as a result of the economic impact of the pandemic. We are thankful that we have a modest Members’ Assistance Fund to provide some monetary support where needed. Other members will need help with keeping stocked with groceries and household supplies. We are developing a scheme for our congregants to assist one another with shopping and delivering necessary items.

We are deciding what to do about scheduled events such as our annual Spring Yard Sale. We will postpone and possibly cancel the yard sale. The event is an important fundraiser for us, but it also requires much effort, and our talented coordinator Georgieanna Bryant recognizes that the current uncertainty is not conducive to a successful fundraiser. Other smaller activities — like Circle Dinners and team meetings — may go on as long as caution is practiced. Many of these meetings, though, have been cancelled or moved to virtual platforms such as Zoom.

We have heard the word Zoom a lot lately. Zoom is a program for video meetings, and we’ve been trying it out for Virtual Coffee Hour on Sundays. There are free versions of Zoom, but, to really use it effectively, a group of our size would need a subscription. The Board has decided to work with the UUA to purchase Zoom at a discounted rate of just over $100 per year.

We were in the midst of our budget drive when the news of the virus turned us around. Financial support for our church remains vital as we continue to pay our staff as well as meet regular obligations. The people who work for us depend on us for their livelihood. We will be creative in using their time and talents during this time. In fact, our childcare worker, for instance, may be doing some organizing and straightening that we hadn’t gotten to during our normal hustle and bustle.

The Board at the monthly meeting on April 6 will consider our next steps as circumstances evolve. Among the issues to consider are plans for our Annual Congregational Meeting on May 17.

Above all, we are being flexible, creative, and loving during this difficult moment for us all. As Rev. Alice reminded us in a video message, our church is not a building. Our church is in each of us and in the collective energy we share. May it be so today and evermore.

Until next time,

Lauren Anzaldo
Board President