Worship at The Clearing is held outdoors the first Sunday of the month (11:00) in the spring, summer, and fall (March through November). Bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather. We will be down near the Pavilion, under the trees. Bring a bag lunch to eat with others after worship.
Since the transmission level for Richmond and the surrounding area is now at low levels, per CDC guidelines, mask wearing is now optional. We will still crack the windows to allow for proper ventilation and the air purifiers will be running.
The Fall Retreat led by the Ministry and Worship committee was well attended and amply supported by the Committee on Adult Spiritual Education who provided a wonderful lunch. The workshop, “Seeking Right Relationship with Indigenous People,” led by Barb Adams, directed us in a process of self-examination, learning, and listening. While this retreat was a ‘success,’ creating energy and connecting us, we acknowledge it as only one step, and only one piece of a larger process of becoming more whole.
Specifically, in addition to questions about appropriate next steps in our work on right relationship with indigenous peoples, questions arose as to how we can deepen our Meeting’s collective understanding of other marginalized experiences in the United States, including that of Black Americans, Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans. Do we seek to listen first or always jump to solution? Do we give issues concerning all people of color equitable and careful consideration?
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Friends,
Ministry and Worship is asking that everyone over age 2 wears a mask in the worship room, as of today. This is because the CDC has deemed that Richmond and surrounding counties have moved from Medium risk up to High risk. Our meeting's decision some months ago was to follow the CDC recommendations, and their recommendation for High risk is to wear masks during indoor gatherings. So please, everyone remember to bring your mask and wear your mask when you come to worship.
Another way to protect ourselves and others is to give each other space on the benches. Sit with your own family or friends, but leave a space before sitting next to someone else. Try not to sit right behind, or in front of, another group. One of the back sections is marked with paper signs, Please Sit Here at one end, and Not Here at the other end. I think we can achieve good spacing without placing signs on all the benches. But sit in that section if you want to feel secure about your 6 foot space.
We will continue to have the windows open so that breezes come in. Hand sanitizer is at the doorways if you wish to use it.
And of course, we can always worship together over Zoom. Please stay home and Zoom in if you feel sick or if your health condition would benefit from more protection.
We will continue to watch for news from the CDC. Thanks to all for respecting one another and doing our part to stay healthy.
Barbara Myers, for Ministry and Worship Committee
Ministry and Worship Committee announces that meeting for worship on Sundays will be conducted virtually, on Zoom, for the months of January and February, 2022. We will not hold early (9:30) worship during this period. The committee will meet in February and decide whether Zoom-only worship needs to be extended for the following month; this will likely be a month-by-month decision. Our decisions will be guided by the VDH (Virginia Department of Health) regarding how Covid 19 is doing in our area. All of us want to be back in person, with blended meetings, as soon as it is safe to do so.
See you at Meeting.
Barbara Myers, clerk of Ministry and Worship