From the Interim… 

Reentry. If there’s one word on the lips and computer keyboards of UUs everywhere, it’s hands down reentry. 

And with good reason. The calendar and sun say it’s spring here in the mountains, yet most of our sanctuaries remain silent. When will we be together again, our UU congregations, leaders, ministers and staff want to know? How long must this winter of the soul continue? 

If the questions are simple, the answers are not. Here’s what I can tell you so far good UUFH members and friends: 

Question: Who will decide the timetable – based on best practices and denominational counsel, who best is empowered, and accountable for making the call? Answer: As I write, the plan is for the Board to answer the question very soon. Whatever their discernment process, it will involve the Worship Team, Reentry Team and me. Meantime, we’re all studying other congregations for the dos and don’ts. And we’re looking to our denominational leaders as we go along. We want to get this right the first time. 

Question: What about outdoor services for now? 

Answer: Momentum is just now gathering, but expect to see an announcement within the next couple of weeks. It’s a matter of when and how, not if. Again, there are some details involved, and we want to make it a safe experience. 

Question: What precautions will we be taking once we return to in-person services? Answer: Keep your expectations low. The advice is to forgo coffee hour, adjust attendance to allow for distancing, no singing, no other use of the buildings and remember the kids as we plan. Unfortunately, we can’t just begin at full speed. 

Question: What about face coverings? 

Answer: Yes, yes and yes. We cannot relax this requirement. 

Question: What about those who haven’t, or don’t intend to vaccinate? Answer: This is by far the most difficult issue facing those who will guide this process at UUFH. Whomever leads the plan will have to wrestle with the demands for safety, balanced against our commitment to inclusion. Opinions are already pouring in on this one, so I beg your patience. Whatever the eventual policy, we can’t forget the visitors who will come to us parched and thirsty.

If this sounds like a runaround, it’s not. It’s just that none of us have been here before, especially when the health of a congregation literally hangs on doing the right things, at the right time. We who will be making these decisions have to be able to answer the question, “What were you thinking?” as we go along. 

We will find those answers, but not all at once. For now, the focus is on getting organized, and enjoying outdoor services in some form. Like I said, the questions are a whole lot simpler than the answers. 

Hang in,  Don