Just yesterday morning, I watched it happen again: the caring folks at UUCF springing into action. One UUCFer told me she was worried about a UUCF friend going through a difficult time. This person announced matter-of-factly that she and others were organizing a support network to offer meals, friendship, whatever would be needed over the next few months. And it's already happening. What a beautiful thing.

Maybe you could use a helping hand or a listening ear? We all go through times of sickness or struggle when a meal, a ride or a friendly voice could make all the difference. Please don't hesitate. If you need help, just ask:

• For meals, rides, etc.: email caring@uucf.org or call the UUCF office: 703-281-4230.
• To talk with a minister or one of our wonderful pastoral care volunteers: email me or Mary Katherine or call the UUCF office. In an emergency, call the office and listen to our outgoing messages for contact numbers. 

UUCF also offers support groups and gatherings to help bring people together around common concerns and struggles. This spring, UUCFer Meghan Crowley will offer a support group for people touched by infertility and pregnancy loss on four consecutive Sundays: Apr. 27 and May 4, 11 and 18, 1-2:30 p.m. All are welcome to drop in any time. We will also be organizing a gathering for people affected by cancer, to be held later this spring.

And if you feel moved to help others in our congregation, let me offer you an invitation: will you consider signing up for UUCF's Caring Network? Just click here if you are willing to receive occasional invitations to help out your fellow UUCFers by providing meals, offering rides to medical appointments or evening activities and other simple but much-needed forms of assistance.  When you sign up, Ann Marie Cunningham and Bobbi Jo Snyder, our Caring Coordinators, will add you to an email list to receive announcements when there is a need.

If you have thoughts, hopes or wishes to share about our Caring and Wellness offerings at UUCF, we'd love to hear from you. Please be in touch with me or Kelly Schlageter, our Lay Minister for Caring & Wellness. Kelly will also be hosting a Caring & Wellness table in the Commons after services next Sunday. We hope you'll stop by if you can.

With gratitude for all the ways we support one another,
Laura