Dear KUUF Fellowship,

Happy May Day! I hope you have spent some time this week “bringing in the May” as they say, enjoying the flowers that are blooming and the sunny weather we have seen. Thank goodness for those moments of sunshine! Because it is Week 8 of social distancing here in Kitsap County and frankly, I miss you! I have spoken with so many of you lately, over the phone and on Zoom. I love seeing your faces and hearing your voices. And yet, it isn’t quite the same, is it? How wonderful it will be when we can all be together again.

The good news is that so many of you are managing well. You are caring for your families and connecting with loved ones and getting outside. Many of you have become tech experts! And a huge amount of you are bravely tackling your internet on Sunday mornings, to worship together and experience community in a new way. One of my favorite moments of the week is when I press “broadcast” on our Zoom webinar and I see each of you, one by one, pop into our virtual worship space. I especially love when you say hello in the chat! And when you share with us who is sitting with you in your home, watching alongside you. Thank you for all the ways, large and small, that you are staying engaged with the KUUF community. Your willingness to try new things and be a part of KUUF, wherever we are, is so important right now.

This week I have been thinking a lot about how to stay engaged. Growing up, May Day wasn’t just about flowers in my house. We also celebrated the labor unions and workers’ rights. And this May Day, more than ever, I feel called to celebrate the essential workers in our communities, who often go unseen but who provide a critical foundation for our daily lives. During this pandemic, they have put themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe and comfortable. And I am inspired by their service.

Perhaps you are also inspired. Perhaps you are wondering, like me, how we might be of service in this time. KUUF is working with our neighbors at KIAC, the Kitsap Immigration Assistance Center, to put together several ways we can be of service and help those who need it the most. Suzanne Rowley from KIAC has written a beautiful letter for this newsletter, about ways we can help. Please do take a moment to read it.

And remember, one of the greatest things we can do to be of service right now is to stay home. That’s one of the best ways to support our essential workers. Stay home and stay healthy, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and reach out when you need help. The last part is where I come in. If I haven’t heard your voice in a while, you can be sure that I would like to hear it. If you have a moment, give me a call or send me an email and say hello.

And if you need help, financial or otherwise, myself and the entire KUUF community is here for you. You are not alone.

Worship will continue to be there for you on Sunday mornings. Our board is available Wednesday evenings on Zoom. And I have my regular office hours every week. Bring your knitting and a cup of tea and lets chat! As this moment unfolds before us, our connection with one another will light our way through. So don’t forget to let your light shine!

Blessings on a beautiful May Day,

Rev. Jessica