The March 15 Sunday service is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rev. Melora Lynngood writes:
Dear Ones,
Following up on the email you received from us yesterday: Rev. Shana and I were all set to see you Sunday, and then our daughter came down with a flu-like illness with a fever. We are not worried that it is COVID-19. However, the schools are advising that if you have an ill family member you should stay home. Shana and I are fine, but I’d hate to transmit to anyone a cold with a fever and cause all that attendant anxiety.
After consulting with the president, the board executive, Arran (kids’ programs), Gary (Jazz Vespers), in light of the illness in our family as well as the rapidly evolving landscape of cancellation protocols and considerations, the decision has been made to cancel the Sunday morning service and Jazz Vespers for this Sunday, March 15.
Disappointing, I know. I found solace and inspiration in this beautiful poem, from our colleague, Rev. Lynn Ungar:
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath —
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Centre down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love –
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20