12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.  – I Corinthians 12:12-14

Dear Friends,

We are writing to you with an update on UCC worship and gathering plans for the rest of the summer and early fall, as all of us continue to emerge from the past year and a half of pandemic life. We pray that this letter finds you well.

Pastor Jennifer is on her well-deserved, three-month summer sabbatical (June 13-Sept. 12). As she kayaks along, Rev. Janice Springer, Rev. Laura Folkwein, and a host of other talented and generous UCC leaders from Visionaries to Cabinet members, are keeping our wonderful church afloat and heading in a consistent direction. We are so fortunate to have such generous and strong leaders at UCC!

Have you heard of the “Slow Food Movement”? It is an effort to slow down the way people produce, harvest, prepare and enjoy food. Slow food is good for plants, animals, people, and the whole planet.

UCC Missoula is approaching the summer with an attitude of “Slow Pandemic Re-entry.” Some of us are excited to see each other and resume activities we love with a sense of joy and blessed relief. Others of us are half-way out of cautious quarantine and uncertain about our next steps. Still others are not able to be vaccinated due to age (kids!) or personal health. Yet we are all one Body in Christ, different parts with different needs, and we very much want to be together in body and in spirit.

Our church is going to approach the summer with a spirit of “Slow Re-entry” because we want to be able to include as many folks as possible in worship, small groups, and other gatherings. “Slow Re-entry” means that we are going to do our best to remain extremely safe and very inclusive. We will take our time to prepare carefully and to savor our experiences together.

Our Covid Advisory Team, Worship and Spiritual Life Team, and our Cabinet have advised and approved the following summer plans:

• When you come to the church, please wear a mask. We will be maintaining mask requirements inside and outside the building.

• Join us for online worship every Sunday, and IN PERSON, OUTDOOR worship once a month at 10 a.m.  June 27th - Pride Sunday, July 25th - Poetry Sunday and August 15th - a meditation on Kindness.

• Rev. Janice Springer will lead small group workshops outside with masks, as much as possible (moving inside if necessary for smoke or bad weather). Sign up on our website.

• Enjoy masked social gatherings in the courtyard with Pastor Laura and others.

• Join our youth group and others in service to the community.

As our ancestors in faith and family have walked through challenges in hope before us, we will anticipate the fall with great hope for the ability to meet often and in-person, with fewer restrictions and a whole lot of celebration.

In the meantime, we know you are doing your part encouraging others to get vaccinated, washing your hands, masking when you need to, and staying safe as you travel, float, camp, enjoy family, shop, and do all the summer things we have been missing. Thank you!

Please sign up for the eblast (email info@uccmissoula.org), read your eblast, and check our website, YouTube and Facebook pages for updates as we go.

As always, your contributions of time, talent, and treasure are deeply appreciated and help us continue to be a voice of love, joy, hope, and justice in Missoula and beyond. You can give online at www.uccmissoula.org/giving or send a check to the church.

If you have questions about our summer plans or how you can help, please contact Moderator Pattii Nau or Pastor Laura Folkwein. Pattii can be reached at pattii240@gmail.com and Laura is at laura@uccmissoula.org or (406) 543-6952.

Yours in grace and peace, and with great hope,

Pattii Nau Rev. Laura Folkwein, MSW

Moderator Associate and Sabbatical Coverage Pastor

‍

‍