President’s Corner
by Ozzie Meyers
As we continue to face the challenges of the spread of the Coronavirus, I am hoping that we keep in mind our 7th Principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” While I certainly endorse the precaution of “Social Distancing,” I also believe that we need to continue to find ways to connect with one another. William Stafford’s poem, “The Way It Is,” conveys metaphorically how there is a thread running through our lives which we must honor:
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
I believe this thread also reaches beyond ourselves to all around us, including nature.
To this end, I would like to applaud the Meditation Group that due to cancellation has develop a way to maintain a connection by designating an agreed upon time/day for participants to meditate at home and then to share any responses with one another afterwards.
Please continue to access reliable sources: the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) , MDH (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/action.html), and Governor Walz’s office (https://mn.gov/governor/.
Finally, the Board agreed that we should table our renovations’ plans, including hiring a consultant to help us organize a Capital Campaign, for the foreseeable future. To this end, I have contacted both of our potential consultants to let them know our campaign and renovations’ plans have been put on hold.
In Times Like These…
by Lisa Bershok, President Elect
Hello everyone, it feels odd to not see everyone on Sundays. I hope you are all feeling well and finding ways to cope with staying home and changed plans. As an extrovert, I know I am finding it difficult to be at home…ALL the time. Not only have our schedules and daily rhythms changed, but for some of us the ways we cope with stress, anxiety, and the unknown may have changed as well. For me, getting out of the house and staying busy connecting with others is what helps me maintain my own mental health.
Joel and I are finding we are connecting with friends from far away more often in the last 2 weeks via technology and having to get creative in how we keep Lucas connected to his friends too. I hope as the weather warms, we can get outside more as well. Connection to others is so vitally important. While texting and phone calls can help, the ability to connect with more than one person at a time, hear laughter, and do things like share a meal can make a world of difference to our mood. We know there are various degrees of comfort in using technology in our fellowship. That’s why Joel and I (ok, let’s be honest, Joel is the real technology person in our family) will host a Zoom tele-conference meeting on Monday, April 6th at 8:30 pm. You do NOT need a Zoom account to join. Just click on the link below a few minutes before 8:30 pm on 4/6 to join us on your computer (or type it into your web browser). Please see the information below.
I also want to encourage people to think creatively in how you can connect to your friends, book clubs, work out groups (the YMCA is hosting all sort of events on their Facebook page), etc. How could that look here at SCUUF? Could you host a circle dinner over technology? Could you host a coffee talk once a week over technology? Just because we are not able to meet in person doesn’t mean we still can’t meet virtually. If you decide to host an ongoing or special virtual event within the fellowship that is open to others, I encourage you to reach out to Jessica Beierman so it can be posted on our webpage so others can join.
For those of us that have increased worry and anxiety about our current situation with the Coronavirus or are struggling as our typical coping strategies aren’t available to us or aren’t working, I also wanted to share some resources for you that may help. The link below has information on various aspects of coping during quarantine, dealing with uncertainty, and helping children cope. I hope there is something useful to you or a loved one. If you are in need of someone to talk to, you can always call the MN Peer Support Warmline every night of the week from 5pm-9am. That number is 1-844-739-6369. You can click on the link or type it into the webpage browser you use. http://www.sprc.org/news/resources-support-mental-health-coping-coronavirus-covid-19
Lisa Bershok is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SCUUF Get Creative with Technology Training
Time: Apr 6, 2020 08:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/964921896
None of us are immune / Jeff Foster
It’s going to be okay. It really is.
We will face this situation together with love, humor and patience.
We will weep together, we will laugh together. We will discover togetherness in our apartness. And the worst of it will end one day. And we will have learned so much by then.
We will now be called to face very difficult feelings inside of us.
Fear. Grief. The loss of an old way of life. Our devastated plans.
We will learn to face ourselves.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Nowhere to go except within.
A sacred quarantine.
We will learn to face our boredom. Our restlessness.
The part of us that wants to be somewhere else, with someone else, doing something else, having some other experience, in some other Now, living in some other life.
We will let go of the wonderful future we had planned.
We will let the fantasy future die, release it, and grieve it.
We will return to the solidity and warmth of the present. We will make the present into our home. We will begin again, here, build a new house on new soil.
We will explore a new way of life. Strange, at first. But full of possibility.
Slower. Kinder. Quieter.
We will talk to each other honestly about death, and life, and impermanence, and how we feel about all the changes that have come to us and our loved ones.
We will learn to value life a little more. And live with our hearts cracked slightly open to the elements. And lean into uncertainty, and find our salvation there.
None of us are immune to change. To rupture. To the shattering of old, familiar forms.
This is the way of things, this has always been the way of things.
From this perspective, nothing has gone wrong.
Crisis simply means “turning point”, and none of us are immune from the turning. The breaking of the old makes way for the birth of new. It has always been this way.
Love. Humor. Patience. With these things, we will come through.
Stronger than before. Renewed. Ready.
Program Committee News
by Pam Peterson
While our own congregation is closed due to the Coronavirus, we wanted to present opportunities to you for ongoing engagement in Unitarian Universalism. The following UU congregations in MN are streaming their Sunday services. Some of our members have attended these services virtually, and we encourage you to check them out yourselves.
SERVICES AVAILABLE ONLINE:
Michael Servetus Unitarian Society in Fridley
https://www.msuu.org/
I have participated in their services on both March 22 and March 29 and found them very meaningful. The services included a Time for All Ages, which was very good for children. I also stayed after the service portion both weeks and participated in drumming and hymn singing and enjoyed both.
M-F Daily Story for All Ages: Rev, Leslie Mills will be hosting this at 11 a.m. online (using the same links/phone numbers as the Sunday service)
Other UU’s having services online…
White Bear UU Church, Sunday Service 10 a.m. Sun. https://www.wbuuc.org/
First Universalist in Mpls., 10 a.m. Sun. https://firstuniversalistchurch.org/
First Unitarian Society Society, Mpls., 10:30 a.m. Sun. https://firstunitarian.org/
Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, 10 a.m. Sun. https://www.unityunitarian.org/
I also thought you may be interested in “Unlocking Us,” by Brene Brown (a podcast)
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/introducing-unlocking-us/
If you hear of something that many of us might find valuable, inspirational, or informative, please feel free to send it to my e-mail atpamelda4@gmail.com. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Meditation News
By Lucinda Hudson
Each Saturday at 11 AM through the end of April, anyone is welcome to join the meditation group for a remote meditation. This involves meditating at your home (or wherever you happen to be on Saturday at 11 AM) for whatever period of time you choose. This is a very low-tech approach, and it only involves e-mail. A meditative reading is sent out by e-mail. and then anyone who would like to take part in the meditation can use the reading--or a different reading if you prefer--as inspiration for the meditation. There is an opportunity afterward for anyone who would like to share any comments or responses after the meditation to reply to the group e-mail.
Meditating at the same time is one way to stay connected with each other through this challenging time. (Of course, a different time is fine too if Saturday morning at 11 doesn't work well for you.) Even a few minutes of meditation can be calming and grounding. If you'd like to join in when you can, please send Lucinda an e-mail: lucindahudson9@gmail.com. If you'd like to simply receive the readings but not responses from the group, you can ask to have your name under bcc (blank carbon copy) and just receive the readings. Peace, health, and a happy spring to all of you!
Sharing for our Future
Update from Budget and Finance Committee
The outbreak of COVID-19 as a worldwide pandemic reminds us of the need to follow directives from health care professionals and do our best to help others even if only at a distance. In the midst of these extraordinary events, we have decided to postpone our annual Pledge Drive which had been planned for March 29 - April 19.
Our pledge theme this year, Sharing for Our Future, remains relevant, reflecting our commitment to the long-term vitality of this Fellowship as well as to building relationships of support and caring among ourselves. Thanks to your past and ongoing support, the Fellowship has the resources to pay the bills during this crisis and we want to assure you that we will be here when the crisis is over. We look forward to the time when we can resume our Sunday services and other activities, and in the words of our vision statement continue to "provide a welcoming, multifaith congregation for people who share a commitment to create a beloved community and a more just, ethical, and humane world."
While we are delaying the pledge drive for 2020-2021, we also recognize that some of you have new financial challenges. However, even as we are forced to practice social distancing or shelter in place, the expenses of maintaining our Fellowship building, paying utility bills, insurance, etc continue. We hope that many of you will be able to continue making contributions at your same level in the coming weeks and months by sending a check or switching to online donations.
Checks can be mailed to:
SCUUF
P.O. Box 805
St. Cloud, MN 56302
We're still working on setting up online donation options. If you're interested in that method of payment or have questions or suggestions, please contact Treasurer Joshua Meehl at joshua@meehl.org
A Caring Congregation Response to COVID-19
from the Caring Committee
"As Unitarian Universalists, we know we are deeply interconnected and love guides us...Let us turn toward each other in stronger care and shared commitment." Those words of UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray inspire us as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary suspension of all activities at the SCUUF building.
During this time of "social distancing" and "sheltering in place," the Fellowship's Caring Committee has decided to try to stay connected with members by making telephone calls. We're interested in how you're doing and whether you have concerns where we could offer help. We will be using the new SCUUF Directory of Members and Friends and we'll try to connect with those who have been actively involved in recent months. You also have the option of contacting us at the numbers shown below. In addition, we encourage each of you to reach out and make telephone or electronic connections with others in the Fellowship. As members of our Caring Congregation, your friendship, kindness, and concern make a positive difference for individuals and for the Fellowship community as a whole.
In the midst of these unusual times, there are joys and sorrows to acknowledge. Those who have birthdays and other special occasions are needing to postpone or find new ways of celebrating amid the restrictions. We especially note the March 30 birthday of Hal Lieberman who has been with the Fellowship from the beginning and has reached the age of 98. We also send caring thoughts to Charlotte Stephens whose husband, Lowell Olson, died on March 12. His obituary was in the St. Cloud Times on March 21 and can be seen using this link:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sctimes/obituary.aspx?n=lowell-e-olson&pid=195747126
Members of the Caring Committee: Linda Saupe 320-250-0340 (Chairperson), Marge Bates 320-267-3590, Hanni Epp 320-217-2471, Doug Polley 320-240-0520 or 320-282-1422, Chris Smith 320-293-4992, Charlotte Stephens 320-251-8677, Ron Syme 320-333-9732
Buildings & Grounds Update
Tom Hergert, B&G chair
We’ll be using the hiatus of activities at the Fellowship to address some needs in and around the building. The largest project will be a major steam cleaning of all the carpets. I’ll be working with Dan Jenson to rent and operate the appropriate machinery. Some of you are aware that we’ve had issues with the overhead lights in the CRE classroom. I have purchased LED replacement fixtures and expect to install them during our break. If you’ve ever been in the west attic area that’s dedicated to Building & Grounds, you’ll have noticed that it ain’t tidy. It’s been on my list a long time to organize tools and supplies—no time like the present. The screws that hold down the main door exterior threshold have all rusted to oblivion. There will be new screws and a better anchored threshold when next we meet.
I’ll be exploring the building for other needs and projects. If there are things you’ve noticed, or ideas for projects, please email me (tom.hergert@gmail.com), and we can start distant socializing about what could happen. If you’d like to volunteer to help on any of these or to start B&G projects of your own, I’m open to suggestion.
Please stay safe, warm, and healthy.