A Message from Rev. Zackrie
As we all experience the implications for the spread of COVID-19 virus, your Board President, Heidi Parkington-Thal, and I remain in regular contact with each other to determine best practices to support our Cedars community. As we make decisions about worship services, scheduled events, and use of facilities, we will let you know. Please stay connected through the Cedars website, our social media sites, e-mail, and this weekly newsletter.
As of today’s publication date, March 13, we have made the decision that for the time being, we will suspend all Sunday worship services and are working on streaming services to you each week. You will be able to access these online services each week through Zoom.
To keep you informed and to provide more connection in community, Heidi and I will host a weekly, online (Zoom) Cedars Time. We had a trial run of the first such meeting on Tuesday, March 10, and were joined by about 30 Cedars Members and Friends. During each meeting, we will update information about Cedars people and events, share prayers and reflections, and make time for Joys and Sorrows. If you are unable to join these meetings, you will be able to find them online (see Cedars website). Please note that the Joys and Sorrows shared will remain part of the meeting but will not be posted online.
Details of new dates and times for postponed events will be provided once they are known. Please continue to monitor your email for additional details about Cedars activities and events. Watch the Breeze calendar on Breeze, as it will be the most up-to-date listing of events.
As I stated in an earlier message, we encourage people to meet virtually (either by phone or video conference) when possible.
In order to inform our own decisions, we will continue to monitor advisories from government and health agencies. We will use this information to put in place further precautions if necessary and will continue to communicate with all of you throughout.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out, preferably by e-mail. My hope is that by being proactive and implementing these procedures, we can do our part to keep everyone safe and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in our community. Based on advice already published, I remind you to take precautions to keep yourself and others safe and help prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Health professionals advise:
- Wash hands regularly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and water.
- Apply hand sanitizer when washing is not an option.
- Cough and sneeze into the crook of your arm.
- Stay home if you are feeling sick or otherwise unwell.
- Avoid handshakes, hugs, and other physical greetings/contact.
- Avoid touching your face.
Taking these precautions is not about fear, but rather about fulfilling our belief that everyone matters. By doing our part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 we are ensuring that the worth and dignity of people who are susceptible to this virus are upheld. We are connected in the web of life, and what one of us does to help prevent the spread of this illness is to the benefit of all of us. So do your part to help keep yourself and each other safe.
In Solidarity,
Rev. Zackrie Vinczen
Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church
minister@cedarsuuchurch.org