I encourage you to watch this 9 minute video
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Our friend, Lori's beautiful family
My friend and colleague, Todd Beiswenger, did this thoughtful video asking the question, "What can I do about racism?" Along with so many people, I have been recommitting myself to do what I can to address racism in my own heart and mind. As I said in last week's missive, racism and brutality
are evil, plain and simple. They are also based on such bedrock falsities such as misunderstanding God's message of love, kindness, generosity, and true justice.
And like Todd says in this video, I'm kind of surprised that with all the efforts of leaders such as Ghandi, MLK, Jr, Nelson Mandela, to become more inclusive, the world - and the human heart - still harbors a lot of exclusiveness.
So what's an ordinary person like me to do about racism? I applaud peaceful protests. I will vote for new leaders to bring energy and insight for more political and cultural advancement. And I will search my own heart and mind to notice and root out prejudice.
The question Todd raises in the video and his conclusions are important to me. He said it well, and I share it because it speaks to me.
Also, his message leads right into what I want to talk about this Sunday. It's the 3rd topic in the series on the Golden Rule:
"Never judge others to be undeserving
of your kindness and generosity."
I hope you can tune in to the livestream or attend in person!
With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,
Nathan
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The Golden Rule Addresses Racism
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Sermon series based on Matt 7:12
The Golden Rule is the antithesis of Racism and Brutality
Last Sunday I did a second talk about practicing the Golden Rule, focusing on what we each need to do to protect ourselves and others from selfish behaviors including racism and brutality. I am proud of so many people protesting such bad actions and working towards political and cultural change, to become more loving and wise
with each other as human beings regardless of race or color.
Here (and pictured above) is the task for the week that I introduced last Sunday:
Golden Rule Intention #2:
When I am concerned about someone causing harm by acting selfishly, I will say no and set boundaries for protection. I will take the kind of action with them that I would want them to take with me if I was acting selfishly.
This Sunday I will continue the series adding a 3rd intention that has to do with really seeing each other as deserving of our kindness and generosity.
I want to give a shout out to Dr. Joshua Simon, MD, EdD, a Tucson resident and all-around wonderful person, for writing a great book all about the Golden Rule called "Positively 4th Street - A Babyboomer's Guide to the Promised Land." I was introduced to Dr. Joshua at last year's Tucson Festival of Books, bought a copy of his book, and have been thinking about this topic for months. My 4-part series is
based in part on his four "bases" of the Golden Rule.
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"Soft" reopening for in-person church activities
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Combination of livestream and in-person church service
We are open with precaution and care
I welcome you to attend in person on Sunday under the guidelines explained below. Last Sunday we had 8 people in the seating area, not including our lead musician, camera operator, and sound booth manager. Based on the current guidelines for social distancing, we have space for at least 15-20 people in the seating area. There are also "overflow" rooms to view the monitors in either the small
group room off the lobby or in Friendship Hall.
However, with the anticipated rise in Covid-19 cases since Memorial Day in Pima County, and based on our church's demographics, I encourage people over 65 or with compromised health to continue to participate via our livestream option. See the links below or go to sunrisechapel.org and click on one of the links
there.
To learn more about "Infection Rates on the Rise in Pima County," here is a link to a brief, informative video from the Pima County Health Director from yesterday morning, June 10. I encourage you to view it.
For me, reopening at Sunrise Chapel is a matter of safe health practices, not political viewpoints.
Also, we simply need to be loving and respectful of each other’s needs and sensitivities. Please be patient with each other and practice what I'm currently preaching about -> the Golden Rule.
This Sunday, once again, I will focus primarily on the livestream via our YouTube channel. This new electronic medium is here to stay, and I intend to continue improving it even as we return to in-person church services.
Guidelines for reopening
1. Stay safe while being kind and respectful. If you attend, observe the guidelines. If you are uncomfortable for any reason, please take care of yourself first; feel free to leave without any negative judgments.
2. Do not attend in person if you are sick, or if you are concerned about getting sick, or if you are at high risk. Instead, please continue to participate remotely.
3. As a community of people who love and respect each other, wearing a face covering is a community service to protect each other, especially the vulnerable. Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. Please bring your own face covering (mask, scarf, bandana, etc).
4. Practice social distancing while on the church property (inside buildings and outside) including friendly no-touch greetings.
5. Current social distancing guidelines from the CDC and FEMA recommend 113 sq ft per person indoors, which means limiting our number of participants in the main seating area of the Chapel to about 15-20. Members of the same family sit together. The service will also be viewable on the TV monitors in the small group room and in Friendship Hall.
6. On entering and leaving the buildings, wash hands with soap or use hand sanitizer.
In addition, these are procedures we will follow during the church service:
• I will wear a mask before and after the service and while I am singing. I will remove my mask for the children's talk, the readings, and the sermon, with the understanding that the closest participants will be over 8 feet away from me.
• The air conditioning will be turned off just prior to the church service to reduce circulation of airborne particles. With outdoor temps in the 100s this may mean a little temporary discomfort. We will see how it goes.
• Sanitary wipes will be available for individuals to wipe down chairs and surfaces they use.
• Bathroom use will be limited to one person at a time, using only the main bathrooms at the entrance to Friendship Hall.
• We are not handing out printed bulletins or songbooks. Instead, the song lyrics will be projected on the monitor and announcements will either be projected or verbal.
Please, let me know whatever you think. It's good to hear from as many people as possible. I'm doing the best I can, and I don't want to put any volunteers or visitors in any unsafe positions. I appreciate your help and patience!
Looking forward to your participation either in person or online!
Nathan
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Photo: ZOOM logo
After church, Zoom with me at Noon!
If you haven't participated yet, I welcome you. It's a casual time to "check in" with some friends and have informal conversation. Everyone is welcome. It's fun to see each other and say hello. You can pop in for a bit and leave whenever you need to. It's also important to me to get some feedback about the church service and any other aspects of church life.
To join the Zoom meeting, click on this link at NOON
If this link doesn't work for you, go to Zoom.us and enter these credentials for the meeting:
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020 (hint: the numerical date for May 15, 2020)
If you ONLY want to call in (without your computer or video), use one of these phone numbers and follow the prompts. You may have to enter the Meeting ID and the password. You will be able to listen and talk (but you won’t see anyone and no one will see you).
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020 (hint: the numerical date for May 15, 2020)
Managing Zoom security
For the sake of security, I have enabled the "waiting room" feature for our Zoom call. When you join the meeting, you will enter this "waiting room" until the facilitator "lets you in."
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Photo: laptop + coffee
Weekday Meditation (9:00-9:30 am MT) This is the link for the Monday meditation that I lead, but it is also the same link for the rest of the weekdays, led by other folks. Try it! You might like it!
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
New Church Vineyard (This is a RICH source of KID-ORIENTED content for all sorts of stories from the Bible and the teachings of Swedenborg. Use this for family worship and for "Sunday school" type activities to enhance your spiritual lives at home.)
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End of Fiscal Year Fundraising
Our church runs on a fiscal year ending June 30th. This is typically the time of year where we make an extra appeal for fundraising. Of course we had hoped to hold a significant fundraiser event at the end of March, but the CoViD-19 outbreak put a hold on that.
This year is also a very trying time for many. It's important to be clear about 2 things:
1. Fundraising is never our goal. It is simply a means to continue the work that we do at Sunrise Chapel... worshiping, facilitating small groups, connecting, serving, and creating our beautiful spiritual home together.
2. We understand that for some during this very unique situation of stay-at-home orders and social distancing, it is creating a very challenging financial situation. We DO NOT want anyone to feel pressured to give.
We do, however, want people to be mindful of our financial picture in order to continue doing the important work that we are so blessed to do together.
If you feel called to make a donation at this time we deeply appreciate it. If you feel called to pledge a planned gift, that would be amazing. All gifts, no matter the amount, help us get to our goal and help support the infrastructure needed for daily and weekly operations.
You can donate virtually through Sunrise Chapel's PayPal account or send a check directly to Sunrise Chapel, C/O William Smith, Treasurer, 8421 E Wrightstown Rd. Tucson, AZ 87515.
Consider setting up a recurring electronic donation through PayPal or by having a check mailed from your bank to the church.
Questions? Ask our Treasurer, Bill Smith william@sunrisechapel.org
Thinking about setting up a planned gift? Talk with our Director of Planned Giving, Mark Wyncoll mark.wyncoll@newchurch.org
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Your church home for partnering with the Lord and each other in the practice of cultivating spiritual growth and choosing heavenly joy
www.sunrisechapel.org
nathan@sunrisechapel.org Office 520-298-1245
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