United Ministry of Delhi

Dear Friends In Christ,

I greet you in the name of God the Creator, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit who breathes into us the power that transforms each of us and the world into the Kin-dom!

I hope you’re each well as we enjoy these August days.  I admit I do find it difficult to imagine that Labor Day is only a few days away and that the time is coming when we will say goodbye to summer and welcome fall.  I’m resolved to enjoy these warm and pleasant days as much as possible – and hope you’re each doing the same!

The news reports continue to provide us with what seems to be conflicting information about the COVID pandemic, even as we struggle to resume some of the “normal” parts of our lives.  It is clear that children will return to school and that there are risks for everyone involved.  The pandemic places parents in the incredibly challenging position of trying to determine how to keep their children safe while also securing their education.  Here is Delaware County, the rate of COVID infection is nearly non-existent at this time, however the concern about what lies ahead is both realistic and ever-present.  In addition, as a community and as a nation, we continue to face challenges in how to be supportive of those whose job loss/cut back have impacted their ability to pay their bills and feed their families.  And as we struggle with those realities, life continues on…with hurricanes, and fires and human made disasters – to say nothing of our own challenges with family, our health, our daily struggles and losses.  I hope that you’re remembering or even re-reading my earlier updates with a focus on grief, challenges to change, adaptability and the Three Simple Rules of John Wesley – Do Good, Do No Harm and Staying In Love With God.  Most of all, I hope that these ideas are helpful to you as we each navigate this uncertain and challenging time.  I am especially focused on not losing hope as information comes out about the virus that is sometimes conflicting and confusing.  Remembering that everyone is “learning as we go” (even scientists and researchers) can help us stay positive and hopeful.  Each new bit of information will be helpful in putting together our new post- COVID lives, even if COVID remains with us for longer than any of us expected.  Doing our due diligence which means social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands and staying away from others any time we feel sick or aren’t certain about our health.  I’ve been thinking a lot about those who aren’t doing those things and how fearful they must be to feel so out of control that they put themselves and others at risk by their behavior.  I am asking that we continue our daily prayers at 8 am and/or 8 pm for those who are returning to school and for the parents, for all who are struggling to survive the economic challenges brought on by COVID, for all who are experiencing anxiety and for those who are failing to care about themselves and others by not following the recommended protocols.

Now for an update on things happening at the church!  We are receiving survey responses which are very helpful in knowing where we are as we return to worship.  I will give a report by email and regular mail later this week.  Thank you to all who have replied!   We will resume the painting of some of our downstairs rooms this week.  The outside work is being done on the building which will stop the foundation leaks near the downstairs bathrooms.  Sidewalks are being repaired and the garden has been beautifully restored.  Hand sanitizers are installed and we are working to complete the signage in and out of the building.  Playschool is gearing up for a fall opening.  The screens are installed in the sanctuary and we are working on the technology that will allow for service projection and live streaming.  Once those systems are all in place and we have a smoothly running operation, we will be as ready as we can be!  I’m excited about being back with you in church and worshiping with you remotely.  The technology offers us more options to be together – even when we are apart!  It also provides a way for us to reach out to others in our community and to expand our ministry.  In my opinion, this is a wonderful benefit of the changes we are making in our worship service.  Please join with me in praying that God will bless this ministry and that through this time more people will share in the Good News!

Be sure that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Be sure, too, that I am struggling with you to face the challenges of this time with faith and hope that God will bring us through to a better place.  I do believe that if we keep that faith, we will find we have been given a tremendous opportunity to grow and become stronger and more able disciples.   Most of all, know that I love you and I need you to survive!

Peace,
Pastor Betsy

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

Greetings to you in the name of the One True Lord who is Jesus the Christ!

As we have come through another week, I hope that you are each staying safe and well. As for me, I, am doing fine but have had several unexpected things come up during the week, including having my daughter and son- in-law with their three children staying with me for several days. They had a power outage due to Isaias and were unable to remain at home. Most of all I’m grateful that they are safe! One of the things we’ve all been discussing during our time together is what to do about return to school and how safe it will be to place children in nursery school/day care. I know that many of our families with children/grandchildren and those of us with connections to children through friends and neighbors, are also struggling with how to provide for children’s education while keeping them safe. Clearly, the early reports from states where children have already returned to school cause some concern as spikes in infection occur. The truth remains that there is much we don’t know yet about COVID and our wisest course of action is to continue to take the recommended precautions, seriously. This includes social distancing, hand washing, wearing a mask and avoiding others when we or they aren’t feeling well. We will all have to see how things unfold as we hope for a vaccination and more medical information to protect ourselves and others. As teachers, staff, children and parents prepare to return to school in a few weeks, let’s remember to pray for them and for our communities as we continue to find ways to address this situation, safely.

I also know that some of us are uncertain about returning to worship at this time while others are very anxious to get back to church and reconnect with friends in worship. Let me be very clear that no one should feel uncomfortable about participating in worship in whatever way makes them most comfortable – including remaining at home, livestreaming or engaging in worship online. This is a personal decision with many implications for each individual based on their health and comfort. That said, here is an update regarding our reopening. First, our reopening protocols have been approved by the District Superintendent and were sent to each member of the congregation for you to read. They are also on our church webpage. Included with the protocols is a brief survey which we are asking you to complete and return to the church office by August 15th. The survey will help us to better understand your feelings and thoughts about our reopening, including any concerns you want to share. We are still working on getting all the technology in place and continue to prepare for projected worship, live streaming and links to the webpage. I am hopeful that we can have everything done very soon so that we can reopen before the end of August. There are also a few remaining things to be completed by the trustees to ready the building for our return, including placement of hand sanitizers and signage, moving the piano and placement of the screens in the sanctuary. By the way, we are using stands for the screens so that they will be completely movable and will not be affixed to any sanctuary walls or pillars. As soon as all the ongoing work is completed, an announcement will be made with a reopening date for our worship time together. I am very excited as I look forward to being with you again and to share with you in this next phase of our journey together!

As we continue to navigate the COVID realities, I ask that we continue to hold one another in prayer and support. I am deeply impressed at the connections and bonds that have continued to remain strong among us during this time. I am also impressed with the emphasis on ministry that remains the focus of the congregation, even during these times of incredible challenge. Thank you for all that you are doing to stay faithful to the Gospel!

And now, remember that I love you and I need you to survive!
Peace,
Betsy

Dear Friends in Christ,

Grace and Peace to you in the glorious name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the Living Word!

Today I have some good news to share with you!  Our United Ministry COVID Worship Protocols have been approved by the District Superintendent and we are authorized to reopen our church for worship!  I want to express my thanks to all who have worked to bring us to this place including: staff, trustees, members of the COVID Task Force, and the Church Council members.  On Monday, August 3^rd, we will be sending out the Worship Protocols to every member by email and (for those who don’t receive email) by regular U.S. mailing.  Additionally, the protocols will be posted on our church website.  Please do take time to carefully read the protocols, so that you have an understanding of what to expect when we return to worship.  In addition, a brief survey will be included with the protocols.  Please take the time to complete and return the survey!!!  Your input, including your concerns and questions, are very important to us as we move to the next phase in our planning.  That said, it will take a little while for us to receive, read and reply to the surveys.  I don’t expect that we will be able to reply to each question, individually, but I am hopeful that some of the questions/concerns will apply to more than one person so that we can respond to the primary concerns in a group message.  If you have any questions or additional concerns that aren’t covered, please do contact the church office.  I will be glad to speak with you by phone, email or through in person meetings (with social distancing and masks). 

In the meantime, we have other good news.  A sound check in the sanctuary has been completed and we can live stream both music from piano and organ, and also spoken words.  The service outline for coming Sundays is being developed and we are beginning preparations for our first gatherings.  Our new technology is almost completely set up so that our services can be projected and live streamed.  We will also be attaching the video of our service to our web page for those who want to worship but are unable to participate on Sundays at 10 am.  Another bit of good news is that we have received grants from both the Presbytery and the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in the total amount of $1300.  This has helped us to cover the costs of items purchased and we are very thankful!

The building continues to be readied for our return to worship and prepared for church meetings and outside/community use.  We hope we can begin to reopen to these groups after September 1^st and I will keep you posted as things continue to move ahead. 

As we continue prepare to reopen, we are faced with continued challenge and uncertainty in the world and in our lives.  The pandemic continues to spread and we have learned that it is true, COVID knows no gender or race or political affiliation or boundary – the virus will infect anyone.  This means we are called to pray for all people everywhere who are at risk – elderly and able bodied, young and at high risk, children and infants, black or white or Asian, rich or poor, Christian and Muslims and Jews and all others….there is no limit to those in need of our prayers for safety and wellness.  We are also praying for schools and teachers and students as difficult decisions are made about if/how to reopen.  The economic toll is just beginning to become clear and, though we have not been heavily impacted, locally, (yet) there is a growing need to be prepared to help to those in need as the pandemic continues.  I am thankful for the generous support provided to our Food Pantry.  Please watch for updates in the coming weeks as we wait to see if there is any uptick in local requests for help and please continue to pray for those most affected by hunger and want during this time.  Our health care workers and those on the frontlines need our prayers.  Leaders and those making unpopular decisions need prayers for courage and strength.  And we know that all those whose grief has them locked in anger and denial need prayer for peace of heart and understanding. 

I conclude this week’s update with a prayer, attributed to St. Francis (though most certainly written anonymously by someone else):
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me bring love.  Where this is offence, let me bring pardon.  Where there is discord, let me bring union.  Where there is error, let me bring truth.  Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.  Where there is despair, let me bring hope.  Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.  Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.  O Master, let me not seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in giving that one receives, it is in self-forgetting that one finds, it is in pardoning that one is pardoned, it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.  Amen.

I look forward to seeing you again before too long.  As we continue to support one another with our prayers, remember that I pray for you, I love you, and I need you to survive!

Peace,
Betsy

Dear Friends in Christ,

Greeting to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, the Prince of Peace and the Healer of our Brokenness.

I pray that you are remaining safe and well.  As the uncertainty about the end of the COVID pandemic continues, I am asking that we all continue to pray at 8 am and/or 8 pm daily for one another, our community, our nation and the world.  I know that you each have your own stories to tell about how COVID and these times of social change are affecting you, your loved one and your friends.  I’ve talked to several people in the healthcare industry lately and the challenges they are facing continue.  On a personal note, my brother had planned to come to Franklin in early August for a family gathering but had to cancel because Indiana is now on the NY quarantine list.  I was also horrified to hear that there is a COVID related death every 8 minutes in Florida and that Texas, Arizona and California are also at or nearing that level of loss.  Sadly, there is a report in Delaware County that a church in Walton has a warning out to people who attended a recent Saturday evening event and Sunday morning worship service where a person with COVID participated.  I have also heard that some local churches are not practicing social distancing, wearing masks, cleaning the sanctuary after use, and continue to sing hymns and have a choir. To continue to operate without updated protocols, place all participants at high risk of infection.  Like many of you, I find myself asking – why?  Why is it so difficult to understand that if we don’t all get on board with safe practices our nation and our neighbors will continue to suffer?

This morning I read an article that addressed this very question which was titled – Why don’t men wear masks?  The reason for singling out men is simple.  Statistically, more women than men will voluntarily wear a face mask and comply with social distancing practices.  The reason is complicated but is rooted in the reality that men, in our culture, are supposed to be strong, brave and invincible (Think of the old Marlboro man commercials or western movie heroes, if your memory goes back that far.)  We have, traditionally, placed our men in more high risk situations and engrained in them a sense that in order to protect others, they have to be able to conquer danger on their own.  So, as a result, we have men who refuse to wear masks, or wear them ineffectively by covering only the mouth and not the nose and mouth, and who may become angry when confronted.  In fact, the direct approach won’t work and actually escalates the problem.  Emotional appeals won’t help.  What does help, the article reported, is a very practical solution – herd mentality.  If everyone (or nearly everyone) is wearing masks, the men who think that conforming makes them look weak and silly, will eventually wear them, too.  Mandated mask wearing across the nation is the best way to reduce infection rates and help us to control the crisis until a vaccination is found. 

It makes me think of what is called, the Methodist quadrilateral, which is based on the writings and teachings of John Wesley where he spoke of scripture, tradition, reason and experience as our source of decision-making.  For Wesley, the primary place to go when confronting a challenge or life question was to turn to scripture – asking what does the Bible say about this?  The second resource is tradition – asking what does past history (especially the Christian faith tradition) have to tell us?  Third, is to use reason – the God given judgement and intellectual abilities we have to figure things out.  And fourth is experience – asking what does my own life experience and that of others tell me about this situation?  So, if we apply the quadrilateral to the question of COVID, we find that we are told in scripture to “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31).  In this case, the meaning is that if we want others to care about us, then we need to demonstrate care for them – and that means doing all we can to protect others from harm and infection.  Tradition shows us that, over time, the church has modified our rituals and services to protect others from harm.  For example, in the early 20^th century, we began to use individual communion cups to reduce the risk of tuberculosis.  Reason says we should listen to what the experts are telling us and use our own common sense and judgement to help is make smart decisions.  And experience tells us that getting sick, no matter what the cause, isn’t fun and shouldn’t be spread to other people (especially people who are high risk) if at all avoidable.  It is my hope and prayer that we can begin to focus on the health and well-being of others so we can focus more energy on the other challenges brought about by COVID, such as high unemployment, economic uncertainty, and the fear and anxiety that seem to be always with us these days. 

That said, here at United Ministry we have submitted our reopening protocol to DS, Karen Monk and are waiting to hear from her with the approval to reopen for worship in early August.  Once we have the green light, you will receive a copy of the newly adopted protocols with a brief questionnaire about your feelings and thoughts about coming back to church.  The trustees are actively working to ready the building for our return and most of the things we need are in place or will be soon.  I can feel my spirits lifting as I think about seeing you again and how wonderful it will be! We are currently at Level IV and are cleared to have up to 33% of the total number allowed in the worship space, wearing masks and socially distancing.   However, we all need to remain aware that the state could, at any time, restrict the number allowed in worship and that our neighbors who aren’t abiding by the current regulations are putting us all at risk for continued delays in reopening.  We will go ahead with the hope in place that this number won’t be changed but, if it is reduced, we will put our return to worship on hold until the number is increased.  Please pray for the safety of all and the wisdom needed for each of us to care for others as we would like them to care for us. 

I have been working from home quite a bit this July and am trying to complete many of my projects that were not completed last summer or have been put on hold over the year.  Things are going well and my decks are freshly washed and stained, rooms painted, and outside doors repainted.  I only wish the weather was a bit cooler as it has been very hot going the past two weeks!  I will be in the church office more during August as we continue to ready the church for opening and welcome the return of outside groups. 

I hope that you each continue to stay strong, safe and well.  If you, or anyone you know, is in need of prayer or pastoral support, please be sure to let me know.  Also, our Food Pantry is open and supporting those in need of assistance.  Please do share that information with anyone who might need to know – we are expecting there may be an increased need as unemployment benefits are reduced and other feeding programs are stopped or cancelled until fall. 

For now, that’s my update for you.  Know that you are in my prayers and remember, I love you and I need you to survive.

Peace,
Betsy

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Savior and Healer of the world!

I pray that you are each well and continue to stay safe during the COVID pandemic. I had a text this morning from a friend in Pennsylvania where they are shutting down again after a spike in infections.  She said, “What a mess!” and it certainly does feel that way.  A news article this week reported the experts saying we could get through the worst if everyone in the country would wear masks for four-six weeks.  It sounds so simple but the reality is that this pandemic, sadly, has been politicized and now divides us instead of uniting us.  It makes me wonder how we will ever win the battle against this virus if we aren’t all dedicated to the single purpose of reducing infection and loss of life.  I’m asking for us continue to pray for all those in the front lines of the overburdened hospitals and health care facilities, those who struggle to remain safe in their work and home settings, and those who are sick or grieving the loss of loved ones.  We are still praying at 8 am and 8 pm, daily, for our church, community, the nation and the world!

Now for updates on the status of our work at United Ministry.   This week all the required paperwork for reopening was submitted to DS, Karen Monk.   Once I’ve heard from Rev. Monk, I will ask Deb to send out the worship protocols and a brief survey asking how you feel about returning to worship, especially how safe you will feel once you’ve seen our action plans.  I hope you’ll all take the few moments to give us your feedback!

While we wait for DS Monk’s approval, we a completing a number of tasks that must be done to assure we’re ready for reopening, including:  signage for the church doors and building regarding our COVID protocols, installation of projection screens in the sanctuary, trial-runs for our streamed worship services, and placement of needed supplies throughout the building.  The good news is that our technology and equipment have arrived and we can begin to set things in place!  Dates have been scheduled for trial-runs with Chelsea Frisbee who will do sound and equipment checks with Pat Nabinger and myself so that our worship services go smoothly.  The supplies, such as hand sanitizers, etc. are in the building and will be installed within the next two weeks. In addition, Bibles and hymnals have been removed from the sanctuary and other meeting rooms and are safely stored for future use.  Windows and curtains throughout the building have been cleaned and we have scheduled proposed dates in August to complete the painting.  The trustees are working on the repairs needed including the outside wall/foundation, downstairs bathrooms, floors and walkways, which should be done by September.  In addition, a gardener has been found and our garden will be cleaned up and restored, shortly.  Deb Kearney and I are planning a very abbreviated newsletter, which will be sent in August or early September, as we start to resume worship and possibly other small group meetings.  Now, I’m just waiting to hear that we can increase our worship attendance so that we are able to seat all our regular Sunday worshipers.  Let’s keep hoping and praying for continued good news regarding COVID infections in NY State and our neighboring states of NJ and CT.  I expect the governors will open things further based on that information. Let me say again that I continue to be impressed with and grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to help us be so far along with our preparations!  We will be ready when the approval is given.

Just this week I’ve saved for re-reading some news stories about COVID brain, How to Deal with Bullies, Emotional Numbing and Withdrawal caused by stressors including the pandemic, economic worries, uncertainty about the future, and anxiety regarding the cultural changes we are experiencing.  Adaptability and a heart at peace are needed now, more than ever, to face the challenges each day brings.  I hope that you are remembering the stages of grief (Denial, Bargaining, Depression, Anger and Acceptance – not necessary in any order).  As we go about our daily life, it’s helpful to remember that these emotions are emerging within us and others around us.  As the old saying goes “Different strokes for different folks” applies – as we each respond differently to challenges and to our day to day experience with the grief we feel over the dramatic departure of “normal life”.  Will that old way of life ever return?  Who knows?  So, we must also remain adaptable and remember that change creates both chaos and opportunity.  While things are no longer as they were, this is a wonderful time to assess each part of life and reconsider how we want our lives and the world to become as we move ahead.  Personally, I see positive changes as families draw closer together, return to “at home” activities, and reach out to explore the world in ways they may never have before.  For example, kayaks and camping gear, bicycles and yard games are very difficult to find, right now, partly because so many people want them.  This may be a good thing for our children and communities as it seems to offer a return to a simpler, relaxed home and family-centered life.  Of course, we are still learning what all this will mean in the long-term and for our families and communities, but the opportunities are there to make positive changes instead of longing for the past and living with a focus on the negatives and challenges this time has brought.  And of course, there is God at work in all of this, guiding and encouraging us to keep within us the hope, love, joy and peace that bring God’s active presence into the world – even during dark and uncertain times.   Keep the faith!  God hasn’t finished with us, yet! 

Now until next time – remember, I love you and I need you to survive!

Peace,
Betsy

Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the healer of our brokenness and the Savior of the World!
It’s hard to believe we’re already nearly half way through July!  Where does the time go?  Even in these days of continued social distancing it seems like things are on a fast paced schedule.  Businesses and other public places are opening up as things seem to return to “normal” in many ways, yet we’re still not able to open the church for worship.  I don’t know about you but sometimes I find it’s challenging to stay patient!  Then I look at the statistics and the infection numbers rising across our country and I’m reminded we’re still in the midst of a pandemic that spreads, perhaps most quickly, by entering rooms full of people and through breathing the same air.  When I think about that, I remember that waiting until we are fully prepared and have even more information about staying safe, is the best thing we can do as we continue to pray for all who are infected, the health care workers, our world, our nation and our community.  Don’t forget the 8 am and/or 8 pm prayer time which allows us to join together with others in prayer – even while we’re apart! 

Now for the latest update on where we are in getting ready for opening at the United Ministry.  The COVID_29 Task Force has approved the protocols to be sent this week to the District Superintendent, Karen Monk.  We are hoping that we will have our approval for opening for worship very soon.  The next step is getting all the worship technology and equipment installed, so that we can worship in the sanctuary and offer the service remotely.  It appears that we will have things in place by the end of this month for opening, hopefully, in August.  The last phase is to have the NYS approval for worship gatherings at 33% or more of the capacity which will allow anyone who normally attends worship at United Ministry to be present.  The present number would require our worship capacity to remain below our normal attendance and might mean that not everyone could participate, which is unacceptable to me.  I will keep you updated on this as soon as there is more information.  My only concern is that the coronavirus infections spreading across other states might cause a spike or some kind of increase of infections in the tristate area that will keep us on “hold”.   And, of course, my primary concern is for the safety and well-being of us all, here in Delhi and across the country.  Let’s hope and pray that people will take mask-wearing and social distancing seriously for their own safety and the safety of others!

As the work on the church property continues, the trustees are holding work days in July and August and need help completing some of the projects on their list.  These include working on sidewalks and areas outside, installing hand sanitizers throughout the building, and other improvements and upgrades.  These projects will help keep the building and property in safe condition and also help us to be ready for reopening.  Please watch for the information about dates and times, along with a project list you can sign-up for.  I hope you will consider doing whatever you’re able to help us be organized and ready!  We do wear masks and socially distance whenever we work, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and reconnecting with others we may not have seen during the past few months. 

As I reflect on all that’s happening in our lives, right now, I do urge you to remember the my weekly updates of the past few months and what I offered regarding the stages of grief and overcoming challenges with change.  We are in such a time of upheaval that it might be helpful to read and re-read that information and keep it close.  It isn’t only the COVID pandemic, but the demonstrations and public outcry that is leading us to address racial and social inequalities in our nation, uncertainty about our economy, continued anxiety caused by our distancing from family and friends, lack of clarity about school openings, businesses, health care facilities, etc.   It’s creating and abiding by new policies and protocols for safety.  And then, there’s just life itself.  Sometimes it can feel like too much at once.  I want you to know that there are many times that I feel overwhelmed and I’m sure you do, too.  It’s important to remember that everyone is in the same place as we continue to figure out how to live during this uncertain time.    Even though the stress is always there, this is the time to take care of ourselves as we remember to breathe, to relax, get as much rest as we need, to enjoy those things that are blessings in our lives, to appreciate that God is at work in the world during this crisis, and to be thankful.  Yes, thankful.  Why don’t you join with me in the daily practice of counting three blessings as you give thanks for them?   Then add to that your own, personal, greatest challenge of the day and thank God for it.  See, we don’t always think of challenges as blessings but they are!  The challenge you’re facing is the growing edge in your spiritual life and it is where God is working with you most of all to help you to grow and deepen your faith.  Gratitude for the challenge will replenish within us the gifts of love, hope, peace and joy that we all need get us through this time and into a bright new future!

In the meantime, stay safe and well.  Know that I love you and I need you to survive!

Peace,
Betsy

Good morning, friend(s) in Christ!

As I write to you this week, it is a beautiful day, the sun is shining on the sparkling drops of recent rain scattered among the grass and leaves, the birds are singing and all seems well with the world!  I am thankful for our God who in mercy, grace and love, creates and re-creates anew each day and sustains our lives with all that we need to live in the freedom of Christ’s love!

Even as I celebrate the awesome wonder of God’s care for us and for this world, I must admit that this week has brought many challenges as we continue to watch the spread of the COVID infection across our nation.  As we pray for those who are suffering, their family members and loved ones, the frontline health care workers and the leaders of communities who are looking for answers to the crisis, it is difficult to understand how others continue to deny the realities around them.  I find it challenging to understand and accept the continued refusal of some to take measures to assure the safety of others and to justify their selfish behavior as “personal freedom”.  It seems we will need to continue to pray for them as we give our support to all who are developing ways to reduce risk, contain the spread of the virus, and help us find our way through this time to a place where the infection rate is in decline everywhere! 

That said, we are waiting to hear the latest updates from NY State on reopening.  I have been waiting for us the reach Level IV which will allow us to worship at 33% of the sanctuary capacity.  This will allow 72 people to attend each week, which is more than our normal Sunday morning attendance.  Eventually, I expect that State will allow occupancy of 50% (assuming there are no new spikes in the NYState infection numbers).  In the meantime, we are securing the equipment we need for reopening, including all technology to livestream our service and offer in room screen projection.  It will be wonderful to offer the choice of attending worship in person at our usual Sunday morning time, live viewing from home, and access to recorded streaming of the service at any time a viewer would prefer.  What a wonderful way to help people worship who are unable to be present on Sunday mornings!  Additionally, the COVID Task Force is working to finalize our COVID Protocols for adoption by the Church Council.  Once completed we will share them with the membership and outside groups who depend on our building for their programs.  Be sure to watch for, complete and return the short COVID Survey which will help us in our work!

As our nation continues to face the challenges of our long his/herstory and the lingering infections caused by slavery and racism, I hope you will continue to pray with me for the God of all peace to be with us and our country during this time.  We have been given a tremendous opportunity to create a positive change and if we don’t, the infections within our nation will fester and cause even more damage to individuals, communities, institutions and our country.  This time has been entrusted to us by God.  I pray that we can respond faithfully and with the integrity and truth that is needed for healing to occur. 
Hopefully, like me, you’re finding ways to be out and about on these nice weather days and that you’re able to be with some of your family and friends.  We have all suffered as we missed those social contacts and connections!  I also hope that you are staying well in body, mind and spirit (COVID isn’t the only reasons we have to stay focused on our well-being!).  Stay safe.  Stay well.  Stay strong in the faith! 
Remember, I love you and I need you to survive!

Peace,
Betsy

My Dear Friends in Christ,

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God the Creator, Christ the living Word, and the Spirit who is the  fiery wind that inspires and leads us into the new days ahead! 

I’m writing to let you know that even though the painting and reorganizing are nearly complete, there are still a number of things to be worked out before we can reopen our church for worship services.  Some projects will need to be completed later in the summer, probably after our reopening for Sundays.  It does seem like a very long time since we were together in our sanctuary and I know that you’re missing being together – as I miss each of you!  At this time, we are working to complete our protocols and are getting the technology in place for our services and for livestreaming.  Livestreaming will allow people who need or want to stay at home or who will be working on Sunday mornings, to join in worship from wherever they are.  It will even be possible to worship on a more convenient day later during the week by accessing the link on our webpage.  I am hoping that this will increase our attendance since anyone can participate in worship at any time that is best for them!  I do believe that COVID-19 has pushed us all into a different way of approaching the world we live in and that it is possible that we can be an even more inclusive and welcoming church through the use of technology.  AND those who wish to worship in the sanctuary will soon be able to do so.  I am waiting to reopen when we can have our full normal number in attendance.  That would mean we would have to be allowed to have 65 people in our sanctuary.  Presently, we can have 25% of the capacity of the room, which is a total of 55 people.  I’m hopeful that the numbers will soon change and we can open our doors for Sunday services.  As I’ve said before, watch for announcements which will come out as soon as we hear about any change. 

We will also be sending out a brief survey asking a few questions about attending church and how safe and comfortable you feel.  Please do take the time to complete the survey and return it so that we can you’re your input and better know your needs as we move ahead.  Watch for it around July 5^th!

Finally, we have been dealing with so many different challenges during this time, it can feel like all the stability we once had has vanished.  If you remember, I did address this in past Sunday “letters” as I wrote to you about the stages of grief and also the process of adaptation to change.  I never imagined we’d be facing not only the coronavirus but also the upheaval in our nation and the world around racism, genderism, poverty and inequality of resource disposal, and huge economic changes as nations around the world begin to take climate change and our environmental future more seriously.  While it is wonderful and exciting to feel the surges of hope for our future and our children’s futures these changes potentially offer, we are also stressed and possibly anxious about the uncertainty that all of this brings.  In times like these it is so important to find the quiet center and to trust in God to bring us through.  We can be activists and work for positive change, but as Christians, we are also called to stay centered in our faith and remember that we are witnessing for Christ and his kin-dom in the world.  Stay focused on prayer and don’t forget to pray at 8 am and/or 8 pm, daily.  Journal your feelings and your concerns.  Remember to write three “gratitudes” each day and also express thanks for your biggest challenge as you ask God to both teach and help you through the adversity.  This time offers a huge opportunity to create a better world for all people.  It is also a wonderful time to focus on putting God first and deepening our spiritual connection with the God of mercy, grace and love. 

Have a great week!  Stay safe and well.  Remember, I love you and I need you to survive!

Peace,
Betsy

Dear Friends and Christ Jesus,

I greet you in the glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Our Savior – the healer of our brokenness and the Prince of Peace!
What a time this is to be alive.  Every day brings new news and greater changes and challenges for us to adjust to.  It is a time of tremendous uncertainty and also of tremendous opportunity as we keep the faith and witness to the world that we are confident that God will lead us through. 

One huge part of faith witnessing is “Staying Calm and Carrying On” which is what we are doing at United Ministry.  We have steadily been carrying on with the work and ministries of the church.  Worship, meetings, staff projects, building repairs and improvements have all continued even during this challenging time.  While the focus has been on being ready for our return to church, another purpose has been to witness to our faith and demonstrate our confidence in God’s loving plans for us all.  I truly do believe there is a future and I do believe that, though things are difficult now, the future will be bright and filled with joy, hope, love and peace!

That’s why we are continuing to prepare for the return to worship.  You have probably heard that this part of New York State is now in Phase III of reopening.  This means that some, previously closed businesses, can resume operations.  Food service restrictions have been lifted, slightly, and restaurants can begin to open with social distancing and careful food handling.  The restrictions on church attendance now allow us to meet in groups of 25 people who wear masks and remain 6-9 feet apart.  We can also begin to prepare to return to our worship spaces at 25% of the maximum occupancy.  Our sanctuary will hold 220 which means 25% is 55 people.  Our usual Sunday attendance is about 65 people (more or less) which is over the 25% occupancy figure.  So, since we must have our written protocols in place and approved before we can reopen,  I’m hopeful that by the time New York enters Phase IV, the number allowed in the sanctuary will be enough larger to allow us to have everyone who wants to return, attend our worship services.  We are still in the process of working out the details but you will be hearing more – soon!  One thing we need to know is if you intend to return to church on a regular basis once we reopen.  Watch for a survey in the next week or two! 

In the meantime, continue to pray.  Pray at 8 am and 8 pm and whenever the thought to pray enters your mind.  Pray for your church and the congregation and leaders, for the community, for leaders in every nation and for the world.  We are in a time of strife and epic change.  We need prayer to help us and support us and keep us strong in the faith as we navigate the challenges we are facing.  I do believe God is at work and that when we come through this time, we will live in a world where the Prince of Peace is closer than perhaps ever before.  This is my hope and my prayer!

For now, keep the faith.  Let peace abide in your hearts and lives.  Know that I love you and need you to survive. 

Peace,
Betsy

My dear friends in Christ Jesus,

Grace and peace to you on this day and each day in the name of the Lord and Savior of the World, Jesus, the healer of our brokenness. 

What a challenging week this has been!  I have felt so overwhelmed by all that is happening and the woundedness of our nation, especially our black sisters and brothers.  What better time to remember the words of Paul, “Neither Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female – all are one in Christ Jesus.”  To which we might add, neither black nor white, peaceful demonstrator or law enforcement officer, rich or poor, educated or not, privileged or disenfranchised – all are truly alike in our Lord and Savior and in the eyes of God who has created each one of us in God’s own image.  I ask you to join with me in prayers during this time for the healing of our nation and for God to show us the way forward that leads to peace and justice for all people. 

The work at the church continues as we push to be ready for opening when NYS moves our area to Level IV rating.  We are completing painting in the sanctuary and McCall Hall, as well as the pastor’s office.  Replacement of the floors in kitchens, bathrooms and storage closets throughout the building, which we discovered were asbestos tile, is perhaps next on the agenda with some additional work to ready our sanctuary for the return to worship.  We are also working on the protocols for the congregation and for outside groups who we expect will want to use our building once again, moving forward.  These are in process at this time. 

One thing I’d like to say is that you may have heard about other churches that are open for worship.  I myself have direct knowledge of two churches in our area that have opened in recent weeks.  Let me be clear, while I celebrate their love for Christ and their desire to resume weekly worship services, they are not in compliance with the NYS and CDC timeline for reopening!  The process we are following will assure that we are abiding by the lawful return to worship which also allows for the protection of those who choose to come into the building for worship.  You should also know that some churches are allowing choirs to sing and congregational hymn singing and that, as I write this, I have heard a rumor that the CDC is now allowing congregational and choirs to sing.  I hope this isn’t true since the CDC has previously stated that congregations and choirs should not sing because when we sing we spray spittle into the air up to a twenty foot distance from the singer.  This in itself is a danger, but the particles when singing are smaller than those produced with regular breathing and are, therefore, more easily absorbed by both the singers and those in the pews.  Finally, when sing we breathe in much more deeply than our usual breathing pattern and this increases the risk of inhaling infection deep into the lungs.   This is why we cannot and will not be singing during our worship until we have a clear protocol that allows us to sing, safely.  I hope you know how this breaks my heart.  I am a singer.  My first work in the church was as a church musician and professional singer.  I long to sing!  But in the interest of protecting myself and others, I will resist the impulse until I know it is safe.  Bishop Bickerton has asked us to remember that all the things we are doing, even if we would rather follow our usual worship practices, is an expression of love that comes with the desire to “Do No Harm”.  We are generously and with grace giving up some of our own personal desires and wishes for the safety and protection of us all.
I believe that we can and should pray for those churches that have opened against the direction of the state and CDC.  I hope the leaders and congregations remain safe and well.  I also hope you know that by breaking the guidelines they put not only themselves as risk, but everyone else in the community they come in contact with, at the grocery store, on the street, and in our health care system, should they get COVID-19.  Pray for them and for us all.

I am also letting you know that the bishop has generously offered to provide worship so that all clergy can have Sunday, June 14 as a day of rest.  I love being with you but I haven’t taken a Sunday off since last October and I feel the need for some rest and renewal.  So, I will be off, per the Bishop’s instructions, from Thursday through Sunday of next week.  As soon as we receive the link for this service, we will provide it for you so you can access the worship service and message from the Bishop.  I hope you will take this opportunity to join with other UM congregations in the NY Annual Conference and to hear the Bishop preach.  He’s pretty good, if I do say so myself!  I will be back with you all on June 21^st for our usual Sunday format which will continue until we are given the “all clear” and can worship together once again, in our sanctuary.  I hope, prayerfully, that will be sometime in July and am aiming to be ready by July 1^st so we can open our doors right away, once we get the “ok”. 

In the meantime, stay safe and well.  Pray for those who are still facing risks of infection or battling the COVID -19 virus, pray for families separated by continued social distancing and especially for those in nursing homes and health care facilities, pray for the first responders and health care workers.  Pray for all our children in this time.  And please for the peace and healing of our nation in your daily 8 am and/or 8 pm prayers.  Stay connected with friends and loved ones, near and far.  And know that I love you – and need you to survive. 

Peace,
Betsy