Dear Ones,

At UUFB, we have suspended in-person worship and other meetings for the time being. 

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has ordered all schools closed, and urges organizations to cancel any events expecting more than 100 people. Our Beaufort County Library system has closed until further notice. We may soon see more closings: of bars, restaurants, gyms, etc., as has happened in other places.

Our UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray closed UUA headquarters last week. All UUA employees are working from home until at least mid-April. In a letter sent to congregations last Friday (3/13), she wrote: “We strongly recommend that congregations avoid gatherings of more than 25 people, including worship and religious education, for the time being. … We believe it is our moral obligation to follow the guidance of health professionals who recommend early action even before cases have been confirmed in an area because it is most important to protect public health and the most vulnerable people in our communities. This moment indeed reminds us of the interconnected web of which we are all a part. It also reminds us of our responsibility as religious communities to be mindful of our need to care for our whole community.”

Committees and other groups can contact me about using Zoom to meet virtually. I’m working on learning what is needed (along with Chris!) to broadcast/livestream worship on Sundays. Please be patient as we all learn new skills. (I’ve written a separate article with information about getting started with Zoom.)

Our Administrator, Nick, and I will be mostly working from home. We will be in the office on Wednesday, 3/18, to take care of essential items – mostly processing snail mail and bookkeeping. Another Headline News will be mailed on Thursday, as usual. We’re working on being flexible to changing conditions!

As always, please let me, or the Care Committee, know if you need assistance. Perhaps you need someone to go out and get groceries, or just a phone call to talk. Even as we love one another best right now by keeping our physical distance; we can still be beloved community for one another. I’m sending love and a commitment to a calm response – as well as a commitment to stay home myself as much as possible.

Blessings,
Rev. Lori Hlaban