[Choir] tomorrow night and Sunday - yes

[Richard Riley]

Dear Choir,

Careful consideration of everyone's health at UCM has been the primary
subject of four-and-a-half hours of meetings that I attended today. Joan
Javier-Duval has taken the lead in planning at this uncertain time, with
assistance from other staff, the Executive Team, the Worship and Arts
committee, and some very well-informed volunteers. I believe that you would
feel proud and very grateful for the intelligent consideration of the
multitude of complex factors that influence planning at this time.

This note is to tell you that there WILL be a choir rehearsal tomorrow
night from 6:30-8:00 pm, and that the choir WILL sing Donia Prince's
"Rising" at the 9 am service on Sunday. After Sunday, no further
commitments have been made; we will see what the news of the coronavirus is
before making any further decisions.

Please know, however, that *we need you to determine whether attendance at
tomorrow's rehearsal and/or Sunday's worship service makes sense* *for you*.
While there is only one confirmed case in Vermont at the moment, the virus
is typically "invisible" for five days after being contracted, and some who
contract it may have very mild, almost invisible symptoms. As I expect you
have heard, the risk of becoming more seriously ill is greater the older
you are. Do not come if feel at all ill.

For tomorrow's rehearsal (and Sunday) we ask that you all sit 3' away from
each other, and be very conscious of touching the chairs, pews, door nobs,
and handrails. Try to avoid touching your face.

I led rehearsals on Monday (Onion River Chorus) and Tuesday (Burlington
Choral Society) that were both very powerful. Each group has of about 65
singers, and there was an awareness, I thought, that our voices are special
in times of anxiety.

I hope to see you tomorrow night... though again, only if the time is right.

All best,
Dick
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org/pipermail/choir_unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org/attachments/20200311/a7a0e334/attachment.htm>