Communication and Connecting in Uncertain Times

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I don’t know about you– but time has become a bit wibbly-wobbly after five months of sheltering in place. It’s a bit natural in our current shared situation to lose track of time, wonder what day it is, and be surprised at how much time simple tasks seem to take. If you find yourself stressing about about this new fuzzy experience with time, please be kind and forgiving to yourself. This is natural. It is one of the ways our body and brain responded to ongoing stress and trauma. Let go of the need to have certain things be strictly scheduled. Pick a few things that you “anchor” in how you spend your time and try to do them at a consistent time. In my case, I’m learning how to be the interim minister at UUC in this time of being distanced. Here are some of what that looks like and how it might affect you.

• I try to take Sunday afternoon through Monday off every week. I don’t look at my minister email or Facebook during this time.
• I try to start my week off with lunchwith the children and youth. I’ll be hosting a Zoom lunch for them every Tuesday at 11:30am. I hope some of you will join me. (Parents and grandparents are welcome to join them for lunch, too.)
• I will be hosting the Wednesday Lunch Zoom at 12p. All are welcome. Eating not required. We usually meet for around an hour and just chat about whatever grabs our attention.
• I only look at my email and respond to it twice a day, usually on Tuesdays through Fridays. I’ll look at email on Saturday, just to check for worship related issues.
• As your minister, I am on-call 24 hours a day. I usually have my phone with me at all times. (Even when I’m sleeping.) You may always call or text me. On days off, I’ll check messages and call you back if it is urgent.
• I have created a UUC Minister Facebook account under Rev. Craig Schwalenberg. I accept friend requests from people listed in the UUC directory or residing in Stamford; and friend requests from colleagues and staff at nearby congregations. I will never initiate a friend request on Facebook. The first move is up to you.
• I will be including a Minister’s Musing in every week’s e blast. Topics yet to be determined. If you have a suggestion or a question I could address, please let me know.

Cooperatively,

Rev. Craig