High Touch without High Tech—Staying Connected

Several weeks ago almost 50 TJMC folks came together (Phone Tree Callers and Errand Volunteers) and committed to regularly contacting and to be ready to run errands, provide meals, provide rides to appointments and whatever other pressing need that may arrive for those people in our congregation who are living alone, in a vulnerable age group, live in assisted living and nursing homes.

Weekly or more often, eight members of the Phone Tree group call approximately 42 members who were staying-at-home days before Governor Northam made his official announcement. In addition to the original staying-at-home group, there are other (mostly seniors) who are also listed as Phone Tree call recipients. These check-in calls are to make social connections as well as to determine if there are any unmet needs where the Errand Volunteers can help.

We are finding that while most have their material needs met, the value of these call visits is the warm social connection that is being developed between the caller and the called. And, as Greta Dershimer, Phone Tree coordinator, reported, “…our congregation members who have been the recipients of calls during this pandemic are being supported in a web of compassionate care.”

A way for us all to be connected in a High Tech without High Touch way is to send a card to someone you miss seeing, someone you haven’t seen at church for a while, someone who lives alone, and particularly those who live in assisted living and nursing homes, who during this time, are confined to their rooms without visitors.

For purposes of sending a greeting to those whose residence is an assisted living home or nursing home, please contact the following for names and addresses: Sandy or Greta at Carenet@UUCharlottesville.org or Sean Skally.