Dear Ones,

How are you feeling? A little on edge? A little weepy? A little angry? Preparing for the worst case scenario? You may be experiencing a bit of anticipatory grief. This is a “sense of fearful anticipation” for what is yet to come, as we live through this global pandemic together. You are NOT alone in these feelings!

Now, I’m not a health care or mental health professional. Still, I can recognize some of these feelings in myself, and in some others I’ve talked with. If you’d like to read more about this, here’s a link to an article about this phenomenon, with some tips on how to cope:

I noticed that one of the coping suggestions is to connect with others! Our worship services on Sundays offers socializing and check in time after the service; and, I continue to host two check-in meetings during the week, Wednesday evening and Friday morning. Links to those are elsewhere in this newsletter and on the landing page of our website. Griff continues to host his pre-service Sunday discussion group, as well, and the link to that is also on our website. Kathy Folsom is hosting Chair Yoga via Zoom at the usual time on Tuesday mornings, too!

What else would you like? A Zoom knitting group? A Netflix watch party? Coffee klatsch via Zoom? Let me know, and we’ll see if we can make it happen!

Do stay connected during this time. Our committees are beginning to meet via Zoom, and our Zoom worship services are getting a bit better as all of us become accustomed to this new way of being together. I’m making check in calls to people I don’t see in groups or worship. I encourage you to also check in with your neighbors and friends from UUFB!

Thank you for being here, for being part of this Fellowship, and for staying connected!
I love you. You are beloved and precious. We will get through this.

Blessings,
Rev. Lori Hlaban