Covid-19 Response at UCH
People You Should Know
Belgian woman, Suzanne Hoylaerts aged 90, dies of #Covid_19 after refusing a respirator, telling her doctors "Save it for the youngest [who need it most], I've already had a beautiful life." Not all Heroes wear capes!
Bust Your Stash! Sally Burke is making fabric medical masks to assist professionals dealing with COV-19. Many people say that these masks are better than nothing in this medical shortage. If anyone would like to donate any fabric that is 100% cotton Sally would greatly appreciate it. Please contact her at sallyburke72@gmail.com and she will arrange to pick up the fabric.
Face Mask Match Up
We are now being told to wear masks when going out but they should be homemade so as not to use the medical supplies.
A team of talented seamstresses have been making masks to keep our UCH community safe. If you need a home made cloth mask, please fill out the form here. It will be delivered or mailed to you, then wear in good health.
Mask Match Up
This is the mask pattern we will likely be using. If you can make it yourself, it would save many people time and money.
From Susan Hebble
I am collecting new and gently used phone chargers and charging cubes to donate to La. Grange Hospital. My contact at La Grange Hospital indicated that these would be put to good use, since admitted patients often have their phones with them, but no charger cords/charging cubes. If you would like to contribute, either drop off your donation on my porch OR call/text me, and I can come by and pick them up from your front porch. I am collecting these things through Sunday night (4/12) and will donate them on Monday.
My cell: 708-267-0274; My address: 5329 Lawn Ave, Western Springs.
Wishing you all peace and health, Susan
Face Mask Match Up
We are now being told to wear masks when going out but they should be homemade so as not to use the medical supplies.
A team of talented seamstresses have been making masks to keep our UCH community safe. If you need a home made cloth mask, please fill out the form here. It will be delivered or mailed to you, then wear in good health.
Mask Match Up
This is the mask pattern we will likely be using. If you can make it yourself, it would save many people time and money.
From Susan Hebble
I am collecting new and gently used phone chargers and charging cubes to donate to La. Grange Hospital. My contact at La Grange Hospital indicated that these would be put to good use, since admitted patients often have their phones with them, but no charger cords/charging cubes. If you would like to contribute, either drop off your donation on my porch OR call/text me, and I can come by and pick them up from your front porch. I am collecting these things through Sunday night (4/12) and will donate them on Monday.
My cell: 708-267-0274; My address: 5329 Lawn Ave, Western Springs.
Wishing you all peace and health, Susan
As a church community our first priority is the safety of our members and the communities they live in. The spread of the COVID-19 has presented us with a serious and unique challenge that none of us have experienced before. Over the last few days we have gathered wealth of information from reputable sources including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the DuPage and Cook county public health departments, the Chicago Department of Public Health, thoughtful news sources, and denominational resources. Our conclusion is that the risk is real and imminent. While the official case count seems low right now all reputable information points to it growing quickly. We want to ensure that we take action now in order to stay ahead of the virus’s spread. This is the only prudent approach to ensuring the safety of our congregants and our local communities.
Our conclusion is that we must significantly reduce our physical interactions (social distancing) to prevent the spread of the virus amongst ourselves and in the communities we live in. At the same time we want to continue the life of the church, the connections, support, and perspective that it provides. We believe this will be even more important in these challenging times. To do this we will be taking the following actions:
We will all be learning together how to navigate this new challenge. We ask for your great ideas and your support as we learn together how we can maintain our important connections overcome this challenge.
Our conclusion is that we must significantly reduce our physical interactions (social distancing) to prevent the spread of the virus amongst ourselves and in the communities we live in. At the same time we want to continue the life of the church, the connections, support, and perspective that it provides. We believe this will be even more important in these challenging times. To do this we will be taking the following actions:
- Services after Sunday, March 15th, will be conducted on line through streaming at https://tinyurl.com/UCH-WorshipLiveStream
- We have created a 'phone tree' utilizing our Hospitality Teams to stay connected with one another and offer help and support in the days to come.
- Volunteer to take a lead in any area by contacting Pam Fodor, Mary Getty, Rev Pam.
- We are encouraging everyone to conduct necessary meetings over video or audio conferencing services utilizing Zoom, Webex or Google Hangouts. Contact the office so we can connect you with other members for help in using these.
We will all be learning together how to navigate this new challenge. We ask for your great ideas and your support as we learn together how we can maintain our important connections overcome this challenge.
Message from Rev Pam, Liz Reyes & Pam Fodor- March 11, 2020
There is a lot going on in the world.
In the interest of full transparency and community care,here are three communications from Rev Pam Rumancik,
Liz Reyes, President of the Board of Trustees and Pam Fodor, Director of Programs.
In the interest of full transparency and community care,here are three communications from Rev Pam Rumancik,
Liz Reyes, President of the Board of Trustees and Pam Fodor, Director of Programs.
My dear ones,
Working closely with church leadership we have made the difficult decision to follow recommendations for social distancing and ask our members and friends to begin meeting virtually when at all possible.
As this article, Cancel Everything by Yascha Mounk, indicates, the best way to get ahead of the steep curve coming toward us is to keep distance between us in the short term. This is a very hard choice as our natural tendency is to come together in times of trial. But our end goal is to keep everyone safe, healthy and able to attend church long after this pandemic has become a distant memory.
To that end we are advising everyone to postpone gatherings larger than 5-6 people or to meet virtually. The church has a Zoom account which you can use. Contact the office for more information. There are also options such as Webex or Google Hangouts which work well. If you need help with technology, let us know. We are asking for volunteers to help other members get connected to the web.
We are also urging everyone who falls within the CDC's 'at risk' group to stay home and refrain from coming to church this Sunday. This includes:
We are also looking to create strong connections throughout the church by utilizing our Hospitality Team structure to create a modern version of a telephone tree. If you would be willing to head up a group to stay connected with folks who have not been on one of our teams, please contact Pam Fodor or Mary Getty. While we may not be able to gather in person, we fully intend to stay connected in care for one another during this challenging time.
It may feel like an overly-anxious response but we believe that preventing the spread of Covid-19, which can have deadly consequences for some of our population, is our highest priority. If we get to the end of this time with everyone intact we will celebrate joyously. In the meantime, wash your hands. Find a church buddy and stay connected and reach out to the church if you need any help or support. Love will hold this community together - come what may!
Rev Pam
Dear UCH Family,
We’re writing to provide a few updates in regards to church logistics, the pledge drive, and our ministerial transition process. So, in reverse order:
The Board of Trustees continues to work on a transition plan. We’ve met virtually with a UUA transition team member, Liz has had several conversations with the UUA transitions team, and at our March 11 board meeting we met with members of our last search committee to learn more about the transition and search process. We have another call planned with the UUA and then we will decide on our path forward. Please continue to reach out with questions and ideas.
As you all hopefully know, this weekend is our Pledge Drive Sunday. Please make every effort to submit your pledge by Sunday. You can bring it to church, mail it to church, or simply call or email Linda or Pam F. with your pledge amount and they will fill out a form for you! Every pledge drive and pledge is important but I think this year’s is extra important. We need to be on solid financial ground as we enter this period of ministerial transition.
Also, due to the COVID-19, we may have to reevaluate our UUnder the Big Top Gala and Raffle event plans and in the short-term, we may lose some rental income. We are a strong, active and involved community and I’m grateful for the love and support we offer to one another.
Liz
My dearest families,
The thought of not being able to connect one on one with you is hurting my heart, however we need to keep each other safe and healthy. We will have this Sunday to be together to say “See You Soon” and plan our celebration for when we come back together.
In the meantime, Rev. Pam and I will continue to offer a wisdom story as part of the virtual service and I will follow up with an e-mail to the families that will include wondering questions and ideas for activities you can do at home.
We will send off our Coming of Age youth to contemplate their own beliefs and truths and to finalize their faith statements. Our Senior High Youth Group will continue to be connected as always through group texts and social media.
It feels sad to say we may not see each other for a while but we are connected in spirit. Send out love into the universe, and treat the others in your family well. We will get through this and be healthier and stronger when we come back together.
Much love to you all,
Pam
Working closely with church leadership we have made the difficult decision to follow recommendations for social distancing and ask our members and friends to begin meeting virtually when at all possible.
As this article, Cancel Everything by Yascha Mounk, indicates, the best way to get ahead of the steep curve coming toward us is to keep distance between us in the short term. This is a very hard choice as our natural tendency is to come together in times of trial. But our end goal is to keep everyone safe, healthy and able to attend church long after this pandemic has become a distant memory.
To that end we are advising everyone to postpone gatherings larger than 5-6 people or to meet virtually. The church has a Zoom account which you can use. Contact the office for more information. There are also options such as Webex or Google Hangouts which work well. If you need help with technology, let us know. We are asking for volunteers to help other members get connected to the web.
We are also urging everyone who falls within the CDC's 'at risk' group to stay home and refrain from coming to church this Sunday. This includes:
- the elderly (>65 years)
- people with underlying chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer and high blood pressure (hypertension).
- people with autoimmune disease
- people who smoke also have a possible higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19-infection.
- anyone with cold, flu or even allergy symptoms
- anyone who had been in contact with someone exhibiting symptoms
We are also looking to create strong connections throughout the church by utilizing our Hospitality Team structure to create a modern version of a telephone tree. If you would be willing to head up a group to stay connected with folks who have not been on one of our teams, please contact Pam Fodor or Mary Getty. While we may not be able to gather in person, we fully intend to stay connected in care for one another during this challenging time.
It may feel like an overly-anxious response but we believe that preventing the spread of Covid-19, which can have deadly consequences for some of our population, is our highest priority. If we get to the end of this time with everyone intact we will celebrate joyously. In the meantime, wash your hands. Find a church buddy and stay connected and reach out to the church if you need any help or support. Love will hold this community together - come what may!
Rev Pam
Dear UCH Family,
We’re writing to provide a few updates in regards to church logistics, the pledge drive, and our ministerial transition process. So, in reverse order:
The Board of Trustees continues to work on a transition plan. We’ve met virtually with a UUA transition team member, Liz has had several conversations with the UUA transitions team, and at our March 11 board meeting we met with members of our last search committee to learn more about the transition and search process. We have another call planned with the UUA and then we will decide on our path forward. Please continue to reach out with questions and ideas.
As you all hopefully know, this weekend is our Pledge Drive Sunday. Please make every effort to submit your pledge by Sunday. You can bring it to church, mail it to church, or simply call or email Linda or Pam F. with your pledge amount and they will fill out a form for you! Every pledge drive and pledge is important but I think this year’s is extra important. We need to be on solid financial ground as we enter this period of ministerial transition.
Also, due to the COVID-19, we may have to reevaluate our UUnder the Big Top Gala and Raffle event plans and in the short-term, we may lose some rental income. We are a strong, active and involved community and I’m grateful for the love and support we offer to one another.
Liz
My dearest families,
The thought of not being able to connect one on one with you is hurting my heart, however we need to keep each other safe and healthy. We will have this Sunday to be together to say “See You Soon” and plan our celebration for when we come back together.
In the meantime, Rev. Pam and I will continue to offer a wisdom story as part of the virtual service and I will follow up with an e-mail to the families that will include wondering questions and ideas for activities you can do at home.
We will send off our Coming of Age youth to contemplate their own beliefs and truths and to finalize their faith statements. Our Senior High Youth Group will continue to be connected as always through group texts and social media.
It feels sad to say we may not see each other for a while but we are connected in spirit. Send out love into the universe, and treat the others in your family well. We will get through this and be healthier and stronger when we come back together.
Much love to you all,
Pam
Links in this Message:
Letter to Religious Professionals and Congregational Leaders from the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray: https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/updated-recommendations-your-congregations-response-covid-19
Link to Resources on UUA.org for Planning and Addressing Pandemics in Your Community: https://www.uua.org/safe/pandemics
Link to the Registration for the Online Regional Assembly: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/ra/2020/register
Link to the MidAmerica Region Events Calendar: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events
Link to the MidAmerica Region “Who to Call” page: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/contact-us/who-call
Letter to Religious Professionals and Congregational Leaders from the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray: https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/updated-recommendations-your-congregations-response-covid-19
Link to Resources on UUA.org for Planning and Addressing Pandemics in Your Community: https://www.uua.org/safe/pandemics
Link to the Registration for the Online Regional Assembly: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/ra/2020/register
Link to the MidAmerica Region Events Calendar: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/events
Link to the MidAmerica Region “Who to Call” page: https://www.uua.org/midamerica/contact-us/who-call
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