PEACE BE WITH YOU IN THESE DAYS: You all are deeply in our hearts and prayers in these unsettling times. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we are suspending in-person worship at this point indefinitely, but are grateful for the technology that allows the majority of us to gather together online.
All potlucks, church meetings, and scheduled events linked to the building are currently suspended. All meetings have been postponed or shifted to conference calls.
May we all do our part to love our neighbor as ourselves and practice “physical distancing” to help “flatten the curve” of this virus’s spread. And in faith and through God’s ceaseless, amazing grace – may we also practice “spiritual nearing” to each other and the Sweet Holy Spirit.

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As we all know, our Commonwealth's rollout of vaccines has been inadequate, unjust, and quite frustrating at times. Those who most need these shots are too often the last ones to access them. Even still, as believers in the work of science, and the importance of public health, knowing people have real and justified questions related to health care equality - we encourage everyone to get a vaccine. If you need help, reach out to pastors or staff - we are here to help you navigate this challenging system - and to pray you through these challenging days. See this vaccination blessing along the way. 

Resources In Light of COVID-19:
Personal Practices: (as reminders)

• As per mandate from our Commonwealth, when in public, where a mask! https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
• Throughout the day, wash your hands for 20 seconds while singing the doxology or "this little light of mine" or saying a prayer for the world. Soap, rigorous rubbing and rinsing is the best way to stop the virus/ germs.
• When hand-washing is not an option, use hand sanitizer, rub hands well, and air dry your hands.
• Drink water, a lot! Hydration is a great way to stay healthy, and if any virus comes to you, water does a great job in helping to rid the lungs and body and restore health sooner. "Its great to hydrate!"
• Avoid all large gatherings - stay put as much as you can - and of course keep loving your neighbor fully by keeping that sacred social distance of 6-feet away.
• Sneeze and cough into your armpit. Then wash your hands anyway. Wash your clothes regularly.
• Do the impossible by avoiding to touch your beautiful faces. :)
• Clean/ sanitize commonly used surfaces regularly.
• Even if you're young and healthy, it is critical that you take all of these steps because they help protect the rest of your community. You'll reduce the risk of unknowingly passing on the disease to someone else.
• Do everything you can to follow these guidelines and take care of yourself. And if you're able, please take care of your friends, your family, your neighbors, and anyone around you who might need a little extra help — pick up groceries for an older neighbor or order takeout from a local restaurant that is struggling.
• And again, with each pump of the hand sanitizers, each washing of the hands in these days, let us remember not just our own needs, but the needs of others. With each pump, a prayer: "God, may your blessings of wellness, wholeness, health and healing come to all in harm's way. And over, and in, and through all, may there be love blanketing all. In the strong name of Christ we pray, Amen."

Take Media Breaks & Get Outside: In these days of rapidly shifting realities, it is tempting to stay glued to media - public radio, news, websites. While it is important on some levels for us to stay in tune and be aware with what is unfolding - it is also an important psychological and spiritual step to take a break from it all at times. Unplug. Turn off. Go outside and seek out an early blooming crocus. Look up at tree buds beginning to bloom. Take a walk. Take a nap. Read a book. Veg out. Listen to music. Sing. Call a friend. Whatever relaxes and calms, take a break, and breathe deep.

Pastoral Care: We are continuing to check in on one another in these days - but if you are in any particular need for a visit or a call, please reach out to your pastors or your deacons.
  
Here are some helpful pages, with live links:

• Local Boston based resources complied by the Asian American Resource Center
  
• CDC 
• From a UMASS Immunology professor on the risks
• Questions about COVID-19 answered by scientists: FAS
• Mutual Aid Networks: a great way to find help, or to sign up and help your neighbors
• Presbytery of Boston
• Mass Council of Churches COVID page
• Our own Harry Forsdick put together this page 
• From our Southern New England Conference (UCC) 
• From the UCC
• From the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
• For Parents: The National Child Traumatic Stress Center 

 
Finally, as we continue to hear the daily refrain of COVID-19, I offer us Psalm 19 as a hopeful, spiritual counter-refrain:
 
The heavens are telling the glory of God,
  and the elements Her handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
  and night to night declares wisdom.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
   their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
   and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens, God has set a tent for the sun...
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
   be acceptable to you,
   O God, my rock and my redeemer.