Dear Friends,

I don’t know about you, but I feel weighted down by sameness—monotonous days tinged with boredom, irritation, and frustration. At base level, that’s how it seems in my house. For the last 16 days, I have taken a photo of a tree in my backyard and posted it on Facebook. My friends ask me if it’s a joke, it is so static and unchanging. I forgot to post a picture yesterday, and no one seems to have noticed.

Yet in the larger world, too many sicken and die. And all by the virulence of a new virus. Too many news conferences provide a circus of misinformation or grandstanding, while too few tests are available to determine how many of us are uninfected, how many recovered, how many able to go about daily lives without restriction. Too many governmental rules suppress voting rights and environmental safety and more, under the cover of fixation on the virus killing us as it forces us into houses and homes comfortable for many, yet unsafe—even deadly—for too many more.

And at the very same time, birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated. Families are finding ways to make the Seder for Passover, though they cannot gather around one table. The sun was shining yesterday, the air warm and fragrant. A full super moon glowed pink in the sky last night. The buds on the maple outside my front window are red and ripe with life emergent. I tried a hobby for the first time—coloring with some brilliant Sharpies my daughter, ever-hopeful I will tap an artistic side, gave me. I’m feeling good, at least a little. The novel coronavirus is teaching me new things—that this new day is a time for reflection about what really matters. The “new” is there for me in a good way, the weight comes off, when I move beyond my own limitations to experience the change. How about for you?

The beauty of the world, renewing in this spring time, gives me hope. And so does our community. One of us is sewing masks so we can protect each other. One of us is offering comfort packages of Fair Trade goods. Many of us are delivering medicine and groceries for others, calling each other and sending cards, talking folks down from the ceiling when tech frustrates or needs upgrading. Folks are admitting the need for assistance and reaching out. You are a strong and caring community, there for each other. You are the new day.

May you feel good and know a new day is upon us, whatever weighs heavy on your heart and mind. May you remember each other in your hearts and minds as often as you can. May you know that I hold each of you in my heart and mind. May it give you comfort, today and every day, to know and to feel that you are loved, you are worthy, you are welcome, and you are needed. Amen and Amen.

Blessings, Rev. Rita