Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Weaving the Web

July 7, 2006
Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

Often, congregations of our size find pastoral care a challenge. Midsize churches like ours don’t have the natural intimacy of a church of 75 members, and there are so many people at services that it might take several weeks to notice that one face usually seen there is missing. But we break the stereotype. Our survey this fall confirmed what we hear in repeated anecdotes: we take good care of each other. I felt this warmth last month when in response to my own loss, so many little notes and kind thoughts came my way. I hope everyone feels as held and cared-for by this community in their times of sorrow. I am never prouder of this congregation than when I hear, as I did not long ago, that an ill newcomer has been visited by two members already, and that the Board member who called to give them a formal welcome to UUCPA went beyond that role and was a true caregiver.

This summer, we have another person particularly watching out for the pastoral needs of our congregation: our summer intern, Suzanne Semmes. At the same time that we are returning to our longtime role as a teaching congregation and helping Suzanne to complete her ministerial education, we are benefiting from her compassion and expertise. Many of you have already met Suzanne when she joined the Friday night barbecue crowd, or through her service on July 9. Please reach out to her as you do to me and Darcey.

The Caring Network has also reached out to a group of people who, in many cases, have been involved with UUCPA since before it was called UUCPA (remember when we were the Palo Alto Unitarian Church?), but now find it difficult to get to services, still less evening activities. With so many elders, this is common, and each of us wants to know that we will still be brought into the heart of the community when age or frailty make it a challenge to get here. We have sent out letters to a couple dozen of these beloved and “seldom seen” members and friends, offering to help keep them connected via rides, sermons and recordings of services, etc.

If you know of someone who could use that outreach, please drop a line to Ila, Sara, Darcey, Suzanne, or me. And please always remember that our network of care works so well because it is a network far beyond these five people: because when someone from UUCPA has a fall or is taken ill, one of you alerts the community so that we can offer our support. The Caring Network is careful not to broadcast information any more widely than the person desires, so donÕt be shy about letting us know. Thank you for making our interdependent web so strong.

— Blessings,
Amy