We are going through an incredibly challenging time as a society. We are in a liminal season, meaning we are somewhere between an ending and a new beginning. Something, life before COVID, has ended. Something new, life emerging after the pandemic wanes, has not yet begun. When we are in a liminal season, there is a desire to go back to the old status quo, or to make a dramatic leap forward. It is uncomfortable to sit with uncertainty and to move forward when we don’t know where we are going.

There is something especially hard about this moment in the pandemic, because for so long we were waiting for the vaccine to be available. When the vaccine did become available for adults and youth age twelve and up, it felt like both an ending and a new beginning. For some of us, it felt like the scariest and most dangerous time of the pandemic had passed, because those who were most at risk were able to get a life-saving vaccine. It felt like we were emerging into something new. With the vaccine many felt once again safe to return to restaurants, visit with friends and family members, travel and more.

Now with the Delta variant and youth under twelve still not able to get a vaccine, we are left grappling with questions about what is safe and where we go from here. Here in Washington where I live, we weren’t required to wear our masks indoors for a while, and now we’re back to masks. It’s hard to keep up with the latest news, science and guidelines.

Given how new this is and how we are in a challenging time as a community already, I encourage us to be gentle with ourselves and one another. I encourage all of us to take the time we need to replenish ourselves in the ways that we need. I encourage us to lean into empathy and compassion when we engage with someone with whom we disagree. I encourage all of us to take good care of our bodies, minds and spirits.

In my first sermon about BBUUC I spoke about resilience, and I gave three examples of ways we can cultivate resilience. They are:

-Be a part of a caring community where you can share your story and allow it to be received with love

-Open your heart to transcending mystery and wonder and

-Practice gratitude.

This is a time when we need to continue to develop our resilience. I pray that you have ease in finding and engaging in the practices that ground you and nurture your spirit. May sharing your story to a loving listener mend your soul. May the beauty of the natural world heal your heart. May practicing gratitude bring more joy into your life. May it be so.

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