Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown

“Well, 2021 hasn’t necessarily been a return to normal, but it is the year that we adapted—and took control of our lives.” ~ Debra Adams Simmons

As the end of the year approaches, it is amazing to see how our daily lives changed over the past 12 months. The beginning of the year found us all still isolated at home, conducting meetings, school classes, and Sunday services via Zoom as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise. Late winter brought vaccines and the start of the decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in our area. The warm weather of spring brought us all outside and our first tentative face to face interactions with friends and family. It was so nice to see weddings, graduations and other celebrations being conducted in person. Summer brought our UUFP community together again with outdoor services. Autumn found children back in schools and the UUFP community back in our beautiful sanctuary. Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to remind us that the pandemic is not over.

So, as we head into the holiday season where many of us will be gathering again with friends and loved ones, it is important to remember that these gatherings could unintentionally expose us and others to COVID-19. With that said, I wanted to restate the CDC guidelines that the Board of Directors has agreed to adopt regarding what to do if exposed to COVID-19. According to the CDC:

Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days after their last exposure to that person, except if they meet the following conditions:

Someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no symptoms of COVID-19 does not need to quarantine. However, fully vaccinated close contacts should: • Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until a negative test result; Get tested 5-7 days after close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COIVID-19; Get tested and isolate immediately if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

Someone who tested positive for COVID-19 with a viral test within the previous 90 days and has subsequently recovered and remains without COVID-19 symptoms does not need to quarantine. However, close contacts with prior COVID-19 infection in the previous 90 days should: Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days after exposure; Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and isolate immediately if symptoms develop; Consult with a healthcare professional for testing recommendations if new symptoms develop.

Following these guidelines will help to keep our UUFP community healthy and slow the spread to the greater community within which we live. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending an event at the UUFP, please contact a member of the board so we can determine best next steps for the fellowship. All discussions will be confidential.

It has been a crazy year with a lot of uncertainty, yet our UUFP family has demonstrated resilience through the continued insanity. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing adaptability and support.

Wish you all a happy holiday season and a healthy new year.

Linda K.

“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” ~ Alice Walker

It is hard to believe that November, the month with a day set aside for giving thanks, is upon us. As always, there are numerous things to be thankful for within the fellowship. Topping the “Gratitude List” is the fact that we are once again holding Sunday Services indoors. I hope that people understand that this was not as simple as just unlocking the front door. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to make this happen. Thanks go out to the Worship Committee for lining up interesting speakers who can also work with technology, the Technology Committee for continuing to evolve our multi-channel approach for delivering Sunday services, the Kitchen Committee for modifying how we conduct Coffee Hour so that it can be held outdoors, and the Buildings and Ground Committee as well as the Aesthetics Committee who readied the sanctuary and building to be inhabited. It does take a village to hold an indoor service.

November also marks the month when Religious Education for children will return. Once again, Ruby Barnthouse is volunteering to serve as the RE teacher. I do want to inform everyone that the Board of Directors has decided to hire a fulltime RE teacher just as soon as our finances indicate we can afford it. Ruby has done an outstanding job, however, she should have the opportunity to participate in Sunday Services. Hiring a teacher to fill that role would allow that. In the interim, if there is anyone who would like to help Ruby out by occasionally covering RE, please let Ruby or a board member know. Also, if you happen to know any teacher or a college student pursuing an Education Degree that might be interested in this opportunity, please let a board member know.

It is also important to note that we will no longer have nursery coverage. Currently, the children who have been in attendance are old enough to be in RE. If a guest shows up with a small child, we do have a list of individuals with background clearances who are willing to volunteer to mind that child. If we start to see that consistent nursery coverage is required, the Board will consider hiring someone.

In closing, I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite philosophers – Charley Brown: “What if today, we were just grateful for everything.”

In gratitude, Linda