Budget Hearing on Sunday
Very long meeting
Very challenging situation, obviously
Creating several different budgets to respond to different scenarios.
A lot more work to be done.
Budget will be adopted at the congregational meeting May 31.

Check out the Church Calendar (uuclb.org)
Many activities are now posted on our church calendar
I’m still not seeing some of our previous in-person groups shifted over to Zoom
If you need help please contact me.

And I’d love to see some new groups
Parent support group?
Looking for work support group?
Book discussion group
Movie discussion group
Living alone social hour?
Poetry and meditation hour?
I’m just feeling stressed out and sad and need to see a friendly face group?
If you’d like to organize something, let me know
Don’t wait to get started.

Geek Squad
Several volunteers
I’m hoping someone will step forward as the point person on this.
ITAdmin@uuclb.org will go to Jeffrey Kessler
That’s a good place to start.
I’m imagine a “customer support” form on our website.
And a phone contact.

Connections survey
Have all the Caller volunteers I need.  Thank you.
Expect a call over next week or so.
We will be looking at the responses next week.
Goals:
Update church database with best phone numbers and emails
Identify folks having difficulty engaging with the church online – Geek Squad
Identify folks who would like a regular social connection with the church – Buddies
Identify folks who need practical help – Transportation Coordinator

Worship on Sunday
It’s Easter
Zoom Webinar, 10am
Link on the church calendar (uuclb.org)
I will be preaching

Please support the church financially, if you can.
Have you tried Text to Give yet?
Text “Give” to (833) 931-1845 to get started

2)  Message

Today is a hard day.

A man that I know,
Not well
But an acquaintance and a facebook friend
Posted today that his husband died this morning from Covid-19.
This was a guy that I socialized with about 10 years ago
Through some community work
And we’ve stayed casual friends ever since.

His husband came down with flu-like symptoms on March 19
He stayed at home for the next week without improving.
Went to the hospital by ambulance on March 28.
Died this morning.
His husband was not able to visit him in the hospital.
They talked by phone on March 28
Lots of “I love yous”
And then he was intubated so even speaking by telephone became impossible.
And after that only calls from doctors, reporting his condition.
These guys were my age.
Looking for another 25 years together.

So today is a hard day.
So I want us to realize the challenge we are facing
It’s not just about learning Zoom
It’s not just figuring out the budget
It’s about getting really clear about what churches are about.
Community
Supporting each other through tough times
Facing the reality of death
Finding the courage to keep going
Finding Meaning in the face of loss
And the randomness of suffering
It’s about feeling great human love
It’s about feeling rage at a universe that at times seems not to care
And faith in knowing that there is a caring spirit in the universe that shares our sorrow.

There are a lot of people in the next several months who are going to need what church can give
It’s crucial that we be there for them
For this holy purpose
And I pray that this tragedy doesn’t touch you directly
Or our community
But if it does
I want you to know
And to deeply feel
That you will not go through this alone.

See you tomorrow at 1pm.