March 13, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of the UU Church of Kent,

Our Seventh Principle, which affirms the interconnected web of existence of which we are all a part, calls us to our responsibility as a religious community to care for one another.  I was hoping that it would be longer before it was necessary to be in touch with you again regarding the coronavirus but it is time to take further action to protect your well being.  With schools across Ohio being closed, plus a recommendation from the UUA to limit gatherings to no more than 25 people, the proximity of diagnosed cases of the virus in Ohio, and in collaboration with our Board of Trustees and the UUCK Staff, it is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that we are moving into Phase II of our response plan. 

We are suspending all in person activities, including Sunday worship and Religious Education, immediately. 

This will be in effect until further notice.  We strongly encourage smaller groups to meet via Zoom ( https://www.zoom.us/ ) or other virtual means and to limit in person contact as much as possible. 

We will continue to be a spiritual community that inspires love, seeks justice, and grows in community.  It is only the ways we will be together as a community that need to change for the time being in order to protect your well being and help slow the spread of the virus.  I realize this is a sudden change and I ask your patience as your staff and leadership work on the details of how to remain together in community and care for one another in creative ways that do not involve face to face contact.

We are exploring ways to use technology to connect with one another and we will start with worship.  This Sunday we will have one service at 10 am online using Zoom. 

Here is the link to the order of service for Sunday: https://kentuu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OoS-3.15.2020.pdf

Below is a link to join the worship service:

Time: Mar 15, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
          Every week on Sunday until further notice
          Mar 15, 2020 09:45 AM

To Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/764615105?pwd=SitTNUpMZDIvMUtqQk83Rk52a3kyQT09

Meeting ID: 764 615 105
Password: 980570

You can also join by phone using one of these numbers:
+1 646 876 9923
+1 669 900 6833
+1 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 764 615 105


Follow the link below for basic instructions for using Zoom:
https://kentuu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/How-to-Join-a-Zoom-Meeting.pdf

I know that the internet is not an ideal way to connect and that it is not a way some of us connect at all.   I invite every one of us to reach out to each other in other ways because our congregation is based on relationships and it is critical right now that we attend to our relationships with one another. It is my hope through this challenging time that no member or friend of this congregation feels alone, isolated or unsupported.  

AND:   Please continue to stay calm, do not spread rumors, be a community of mutual care and support, and strive to be our best and most loving selves.   

For more information on personal prevention measures you should practice, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

May you be well, may you know peace in these times of fear and worry, and may you join in the work that love calls us to do,

Rev. Steven