Dear Friends,
Here is a little song circulated in the UU-niverse ( to the tune of #346): “Come wash your hands with me, Come wash your hands with me, Come wash your hands with me, So we can have peace of mind. And I’ll bring you soap, When soap is hard to find! And I’ll sing this song for you, As we protect humankind!“ It’s silly, of course. Not a bad thing, at the time when we are not sure whether to panic or shrug our shoulders. Let’s not do either.

Incidences of COVID-19 in Minnesota are very low at this point in time. I monitor the Minnesota Department of Health and the World Health Organization several times daily for new information and new advice. Number one is that we keep ourselves as healthy as possible during this time. To keep physically healthy, we know the best things to do: Wash your hands. Keep your hands away from your face. Sneeze into your elbow. Wash your hands. If you are sick, stay home and rest for your own sake and everyone else’s. If your physical health puts you at risk of infection in general, then it is best that you stay home and avoid crowds as much as possible. If your immune system is already vulnerable, you are over 65 years, or you are already ill, it’s time to think about just remaining at home.

But we want to keep ourselves spiritually healthy in this time also. We need to be connected to and caring for one another, even if it is not always face-to-face. This is a great time to learn how to use the video platforms Zoom and Skype and Facetime and many others, so you can see loved one and talk and connect in ordinary ways. This is also a way you can connect with me. I tend to use Zoom, which you can download for free: click https://zoom.us/ and select signup from the right top menu. If you have trouble, just let me know. Though you may be at home, you do not need to be isolated. The Fellowship is here for you.

Side-by-side, we will weather this uncertain storm of life. May these words from the Rev. Rebecca Ann Parker be a comfort to you, as you remember, today and every day, you are loved, you are worthy, you are welcome, and you are needed: “There is a love holding us. There is a love holding all that we love. There is a love holding all. We rest in this love.”

Blessings, Rev. Rita