A few Board Updates back, we had started discussing the four developmental ministry goals in more depth. This week we are exploring Goal #3 – “Imagining the Future:  What is the congregation going to need over the next 15 years?”

This question takes on added poignancy now as we face an uncertain future.  As one of our board members said earlier this week, “I’m overwhelmed, as is everyone.” How can we extrapolate out fifteen years when we see how much has changed in our lives over the timeframe of the past few weeks?

And yet, our faith provides guideposts to help us prioritize what is important – the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity and compassion in human relations; our values will endure. The question before us right now is “what does our faith call us to do in this moment?”

And our answer, in this last week has been to close the church. To heed the direction and advice of our elected officials and public health experts as they direct us to practice physical distance to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The good news in this moment is that hard as this time has been and will continue to be, we are fortunate to have three interim ministers who are experts in using the internet to connect with far-flung congregants. They are giving us crash courses in using Zoom video conferencing, the church and UUA websites, webinars, possibilities of streaming worship services, music, small group meetings, so much more to stay connected during this time of physical distance but perhaps even increased social and emotional connection.

This time period ahead of us will not be easy, but we will get through it together.