I’m excited to get started with this new (for me) ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County. Though I won’t preach for you until next Sunday, officially I started this week, on September 1.

It’s an interesting challenge to get started during a pandemic which continues to make it unsafe for us to gather in person. Community is central to the religious mission of congregations and community is tough, right now. I’ve had to rely on email and Zoom to make a few limited connections. The folks I’ve met have been wonderful and welcoming, but I know from looking at the church directory that there are many more of you I still have to meet. Of course the situation is further complicated by the fact that I don’t live in Bakersfield, so even if we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic, it would be tough to arrange a large group meeting or even one-on-one meet-ups at a coffee house.

All of that will get solved, though, soon enough. We will get through the pandemic. We will get back to in-person gatherings, maybe with some intermittent steps like continuing to wear masks and social distancing before we get back to normal fully. And I’ve already researched the hotel I expect to stay at when I start coming up to Bakersfield two or three times a month for two or three days at a time. (BTW. I’ve already booked a hotel for October 2-5 so I can attend the Bakersfield Pride festival and our worship and Board meeting).

So, with no sermon to prepare this week I’ve been readying and setting. I’ve got my email set up (thanks, Elizabeth!). On the fellowship website I swapped out Rev. Anne’s photo and her introduction for my own. I’ve posted a couple of things on the fellowship facebook page. I’ve been reading about the Bakersfield community and history. I was able to Zoom in to the monthly KWESI meeting and learn about that ministry – good stuff. And I’ve been thinking about what to preach for you in the coming months.

I want to wish everyone a happy Labor Day. I look forward to seeing you all on Zoom for my first preaching date next Sunday.