Dear Upward Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to let you know we will not be able to have an Upward basketball season this year. Please know that this decision was not made lightly and has only been made after examining many options and spending a lot of time in prayer. As many of you know, Reverend Dan, Pastor Paul, and their families contracted COVID-19 in the last few weeks. Despite the church following the CDC and state recommended guidelines, our church family has not been able to escape the reach of this virus. Additionally, RRUMC has continued to suspend all in-person activities at the church, including our worship services. The health and safety of our Upward families is very important to RRUMC, and despite months of intensive planning and preparation, we do not feel that, at this time, we are able to offer a safe Upward experience.
While we are all hopeful that we will be able to resume normal activities again as soon as possible, the church currently does not have a timeline for resuming in-person activities. Therefore, we have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel the Upward season. All registrants will receive a full refund of their payment. We will work with Upward to have those refunds processed expeditiously.
I remain hopeful that some form of basketball ministry can take place at the church this year. The RRUMC Upward ministry team will continue to meet regularly during the next few months to reexamine whether opportunities for basketball ministry exist in any form this winter and spring. As I mentioned in my prior letter, we will consider smaller 3x3 games, open gym practices, or any other opportunities that may present themselves after the church resumes in-person activities.
As the new Upward director, this is not how I wanted my first season to happen. As a coach, as a referee, as a member of the church, and as the mother of two children eager to get out of the house and play basketball, I struggle to find the words to express how distressing this decision has been for me personally. I fervently hope that we are all able to come together again soon and celebrate life’s small pleasures that we so often take for granted--including the roaring cheer of parents in the Upward stands. I’m sorry for the disappointment that this decision will cause, and I hope each of you knows that we deeply care about you and your families.
We anticipate and are eagerly looking forward to having a regular, exciting Upward season next year. Your families’ spiritual well-being is important to us, and we would love to add your children to our on-going virtual children’s ministry that includes drop-off of “Sunday school” materials. If you are interested, please email Quinn Bennett at qbennett@rrumc.org. Additionally, our regular worship services are available to be streamed every Sunday at 11:25 at www.rrumc.org.
I close with a portion of an old Irish blessing that is dear to my heart that I hope will bless you also:
Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Sincerely,
Heather Lutz and the RRUMC Upward Ministry Team