Monday, October 2nd, 2023
Dear Friends,
It has been quite some time since I have written. So much has happened since Covid chased us a safe distance from one another. Since then we have endured so many losses.
It seems as if the only time I hear from anyone these days is during one of our sadder times. Dear Peg, Joan, and Kathy most recently. So much is changing.
The most recent news is that Donna and Edith will be moving soon to be closer to family down south. As they depart, Chris Coyle and I have been given the responsibility for our endowment and to lead our struggle to discover what the future holds for the First Church Unitarian society. We are working to acquire guidance from the UUA and will share what we learn. More on this soon.
In the meantime, as I sit here in the vestibule of our old church building, I wanted to reach out and let you know a few things I have been doing. The first is, as you may soon notice, I have had the two dying maple trees taken down. I am aware that they are special trees, dedicated to a former pastor and I wanted to assure you that they will be replaced with a new memorial in his honor as part of this process.
The maples, however, have started shedding heavy branches and it is only a matter of time before a terrible accident happens. Their wood was donated to Jamie Woods’ wood bank to help out cold and needy Atholians this winter.
That other thing is that I have started opening up the building on Sunday mornings and watching Unitarian/Humanist services via zoom. Much like I used to project those Ted talks a while back. You are all welcome to join me if you are a mind to and share coffee and cake afterward. I would love the company.
I have found that, for me, this activity is a reminder that the circle of life has not ground to a halt but, rather, continues to turn for all of us in new but familiar ways.
Much love,
Steve Wills
P.S. Speaking of the circle of life, I will share a coincidence that happened today just after I finished this note to you. A blond, bright-eyed, curly haired young man parked his bike in front of the church and walked up to me to ask why the trees were coming down. He said that he had heard a rumor that the church was to be demolished. I assured him that it was not and he asked if he could look inside. I obliged him and he told me that he had always loved the arched ceiling and beautiful wood, He said that holds a special place in his heart and was glad that the rumors were not true. He then shared a memory that his mothers life had been celebrated in this very building some years ago and that he could not wait to tell his grandmother that he had seen the inside of it again.
Coincidence? Continuation of spirit? Circle of life?
Perhaps all three, so mote it be.