I was going to see my spiritual director Mary today, my Sabbath day, and I was looking forward to it, because we haven’t seen each other in a while. But like lots of things these days, we had to cancel because our meeting place was closing due to the coronavirus. We talked briefly on the phone about how awful this current situation is, and she quoted a bishop she knows, who said, “The church is made for times like this.”

One question on my heart these days is, “But how are we going to be here for people when our building is off limits?” We are already exploring those possibilities, and I was heartened by how many of you listened to our podcast worship from Sunday. We’re offering some online ways to connect this week, and I hope you can check those out. Of course, older technology like email and the telephone will work! So please be in touch as you want to.

Then tonight a friend of mine from high school, who’s a Presbyterian music minister, shared a story about a priest in Italy who asked members of the congregation to email him photos of themselves, so he could put them in the pews so they would be there when he celebrates Mass. And I thought, if you will send my your picture, I will put it in the pews, hopefully near where you usually sit, and in this way you will be able to keep vigil in our sanctuary in during this time when we are dispersed. This will mean a lot to me, if we are able to do this.

The important thing to remember, my spiritual companions, is that we are connected even when we aren’t in church together, or in the same room together. We are a community of the Spirit, and the Spirit goes everywhere. There are connections between us that can’t be broken by our physical separation. In this time, please remember our Universalist faith, that we are all part of a great Love, that will never let us go.

I love looking out at your faces on Sunday morning, and I long for the day when I will see you there in our sanctuary again. But let’s be where we are right now; let’s be courageous and faithful in the work that lies before each of us, let’s do our part to love one another, and serve those in need, and build the common good, so we do help renew the face of this good earth. Be careful out there, my friends, and keep in touch.