CLICK HERE to read the June 11 Thursday Thoughts

 

Dear Congregation:

Since the beginning of March, life at and with ERUCC and our community has been a constant barrage of new experiences.  Whether it’s been how to worship or how to conduct the church’s business or how to have fellowship and educational programs, every day brings new challenges in meeting the needs of the congregation and the community.

In this new environment, I have participated in at least 3 webinars or calls every week about COVID, technology, cleaning, mental health in these days, and meeting spiritual needs when we cannot gather or engage in our usual rituals.  I must admit that these resources have been very helpful but so much new information all at the same time is taxing on my brain.

Then we had the murder of George Floyd and the unleashing of anger, frustration, and energy to say, “Enough is enough.”  The past few weeks have engaged our congregation in even deeper work on anti-racism.   This, too, is taxing on the heart as we open ourselves to identifying and dismantling our behaviors as individuals and as a community that contribute to institutional racism.

All this is to say that I recognize the challenges of dealing with COVID will be with us for months.  Our work in dismantling institutional racism will be before us for years.  These challenges are not a sprint, but a long-distance run, and we all need to pace ourselves for this meaningful and hard work.

I am grateful that Ken and I will be able to take some time off to rest, renew, and refresh. I will be leaving for vacation tomorrow, June 12^th and returning on July 1^st.  Please contact Amy Aguilar at the church office with any questions or concerns. (aaguilar@erucc.org)

This Sunday, June 14^th, if the technology works, you will hear a sermon that I recorded.  Rev. Michelle Beadle will be preaching on June 21^st and Rev. Carolyn Roberts on June 28^th.

I look forward to seeing you upon my return – in person in worship on July 5^th or virtually in worship and on zoom calls.  Take care and peace.

Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel, Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed Church, United Church of Christ
15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-2762
e-mail: bkdaniel@erucc.org