We would rejoice in the return to in-person worship services. It would be a celebration of returning.

Now, in late August, we are faced with a different situation entirely. Or, perhaps more appropriately, not a different situation, but a return to the same crisis we've been dealing with for more than a year now. The delta variant of the COVID virus has put most plans to return to normal on hold. This variant is much more infectious than the original version. Those infected by it show a much greater amount of the virus in their system. And worst of all, where COVID seemed extremely unlikely to infect our young ones, this variant is a serious threat to our youth. The vaccinations are effective-- but more “breakthrough” infections are occurring than expected due to the nature of the delta variant. This variant combined with our poor vaccination level (currently only ~54% of the Cumberland county population has been fully vaccinated) has resulted in a deadly surge in the pandemic across our country and around the world.

The Safe Congregation Team created an excellent plan for how UUCV could safely return to in-person activities. https://uucv.org/about/safe/opening-plan/  With new information based on the delta variant, they recommended changes to that plan-- which the Board unanimously approved. The plan is based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and recommendations from our Unitarian Universalist Association. https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/guidance-delta-variant The plan includes different levels of precautions based on the level of transmission risk as determined by the CDC https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view. Currently, our area is listed as High Risk (Red). While the transmission risk is High (Red) or Moderate (Orange), we can not safely attend worship services in the sanctuary. As such, we have decided it is not feasible to hold our Ingathering worship service in the sanctuary on September 12th. Instead, we will be holding the service at the Cumberland drive-in. I hope you will join us in celebrating the new church year with this special service. Future services will continue to be streamed via Zoom until it is deemed to safe to return to our sanctuary for worship. We are also asking people to wear their masks while inside the UUCV building or while attending UUCV events outside.

This is not what any of us wanted. And for some, this decision is especially demoralizing. Many of the local churches have gone back to in-person worship services. There are even some (a small number) Unitarian Universalist congregations that have chosen to hold in-person worship service. It is fair to ask, “Why are we being so cautious?” We have made this decision, collectively, because it is directly in-line with our Unitarian Universalist principles. We believe in the value of science. We believe in the sanctity of life. We believe all people, regardless of race, class, age, gender or medical status, deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and equity. Right now, those who can not be vaccinated are at great risk. This includes all of our children and youth under the age of 12. Until vaccinations are available for everyone, we can not, we will not, put others at risk. Back in March, when we were told those over 60 were at risk from this virus, we promptly shut down our churches and congregations. Now, it is the children and youth who are in danger. Our response will be the same. We will choose safety and distance now so we can ALL come back together later.

We can do this. We have been doing this. We will continue to do this. Just as our religious forebears did a hundred years ago. https://vimeo.com/415154053 They too faced the same dilemma. Open or close? Safety or Community? Faith or Science? During the flu pandemic in the early 1900's, our Unitarian churches closed immediately. Many even converted into medical wards to help alleviate the strain on the hospitals. And after a year, the local churches demanded to be allowed to go back to worshipping in person. Business demanded an end to the safety restrictions. Many of our Unitarian congregations were accused of being “faithless” for deciding to follow the science of the time. And once the businesses, churches, and schools did re-open, the country experienced a wave of the pandemic that killed twice as many as the original wave did. Our Unitarian congregations were right then. I believe we are right now.

It is a false choice we are being offered. The building may be closed, but our hearts and our worship services are still open. We can create and maintain community while remaining and promoting safety. And we have NEVER seen Faith and Science as opposed. We remain true to our beliefs and our principles. We are returning, once again, to our core beliefs, values, and principles.

We will make it through this, my friends. We will do so together. All of us.

Cooperatively, with Love and Gratitude,

Rev. Craig