Dear Hot Metal Family,

We're officially over a month into social distancing measures, and I know that the rhythm of this time is both becoming normal and tiresome. While we've had some good news that the measures are working and the curve is flattening, especially here in Allegheny County, that means we should stay the course and keep doing what we're doing.

So we are called to continue in this new way, despite national protests to the contrary. We will continue in our mission to care for the vulnerable in our midst by both staying home as requested and feeding people in body and spirit. This is a long, hard process. Please stay connected, keep your eyes and hearts open for God Sightings, and reach out if you need a space to vent your anger, frustration, sadness, grieving, numbness, [enter emotion here].

God continues to be with us, and continues to work resurrection even in the midst of death.

Peace be with you,
Pastor Erin

Discussion Group on "Unlocking Us" (A Podcast by Brene Brown) //

Many of us are using this time to read more or learn more or listen more. If that's you, or you would like it to be, join with your fellow Hot Metal-ers for a discussion group around themes of vulnerability, emotions, connection, and more, inspired by the new podcast by Brene Brown. This group will meet on Thursdays, starting on April 30, at 8pm, via Zoom. The group will be facilitated by Hot Metal's Mental Health Therapist, Autumn Brownlee. But don't worry, you won't have to talk about your own feelings if you don't want to!

Brene Brown is a sociologist and researcher who has spent decades studying the connections between shame, vulnerability, and courage. She gained popularity and notoriety through her 2012 TedTalk, "The Power of Vulnerability," and has written a number of books. However, you do not have to have prior exposure to her work to enjoy and learn from the podcast, and to participate in the discussion group! "Unlocking Us" is available wherever you get your podcasts. The group will not discuss all the episodes already released, so stay tuned for episode selections and for the Zoom link! If you have any questions, contact Autumn or Pastor Erin.

Contemplative Book Club //

If you are looking for something to occupy your time with please consider joining the contemplative book club! The group will meet semi-regularly with anyone who is interested to read through and discuss some contemplative or mystic writings from the Christian tradition. This would be a time to discuss the book, to discuss the impact that it has on our lives, and to spend time in intentional silence and prayer together in the contemplative tradition. The hope is for the group to be a space of peace and calm for those of us feeling deeply unsettled and uprooted by the collective trauma of the pandemic we are experiencing together. Contemplation offers us a way of learning to experience the love of God directly and helping us find grounding and direction in uncertain times. For a brief introduction to contemplation please see: https://cac.org/the-christian-contemplative-tradition-2018-09-16/

Sunday Zoom Meeting // 10:30am:

Password: 031714

Wednesday Zoom Meeting // 10:30am: 
https://zoom.us/j/685174111

Password: 000513

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