We've been saying for some time now that there will come a day when we can gather in person again. That's a complicated idea, fraught with both things we look forward to and things we may fear. In light of that, we're going to offer an opportunity for the community to gather in person with some guidelines, and we'll also livestream part of that gathering for those that either can't be there or who would rather not be there for a variety of reasons.
Here's the plan as it stands at present: We're going to have an outdoor gathering on August 23rd (the Sunday following the coming one) at our place (the Plett house). I'll provide more details regarding address, parking etc in the blurb next week. We'll gather at 10:45 a.m., as we do online. We'll sing a bit and have a chance to sit in a circle and check in with one another. Then we'll go home. In some ways, the outline of the morning will be similar to what we do at Creative.
The details:
*Bad news first - no potluck. In fact, not even a shared picnic or communal fishy crackers. Bring your own drinks and snacks. We really want to get together in person, and we also want to limit any likely means of transmitting Covid in the interest of caring well for one another. Potlucks tend to be extended affairs for our community, and also times when it would be more difficult to honor physical distancing, so we've decided to forgo one pleasure for another.
*Bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket, bug dope, etc. This event will all happen outside (there will be access to an indoor bathroom). If the weather is inclement we'll cancel and meet online. That announcement will show up on the Facebook page as well as in a last minute email to our regular mailing list, should such a decision be necessary.
*Plan to practice physical distancing as well as you are able. If you come with kids (I MISS THE KIDS!), I know that'll be more difficult but let's do our best. Bring your own stash of hand sanitizer, wear a mask if you choose to...but mostly, practice keeping your own space or your family bubble space. One of the reasons we're doing this outside is to make that possible, so take advantage of the room. To the huggers in the community...I'm sorry. Take a deep breath and save up your hugs. That day will come as well...
*We all know the drill by now...if you're sick, have a cough or fever, or have been traveling outside of the mandated area, please stay home. We love you - get well, and come to the next gathering. We're working on that date as well.
Covid-19 note: our host venue, Creative Manitoba, has closed due to Covid-19 and in accordance with recommended public health measures. We will continue to assess the situation and hope to return to physical community gatherings when it is deemed safe to do so.