Second Coming

If it has been noted once, it has been said many times during the COVID-19 pandemic period: We may not be all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm.

For people in the faith-based and recovery communities of Eugene and elsewhere, the storm of the past 16 months has, at various times, rocked the foundations of faith in a higher power. The isolation in the face of an invisible and insidious COVID virus shook people to their core.

Churches were shuttered, taking with them the places where many recovery groups often met. Zoom became the order of the day, and if a church, synagogue or Buddhist temple was able to have hybrid services, masks and strict social distancing became the new order of the day.

We were reminded that the faith-based structures are more than the formal services they host. They are community hubs in their own right. In the pandemic, mid-week activities were shelved, weddings were deferred and memorial services were limited in sanctuaries to family members. Hugs were out, as was congregational singing at most churches.

With restrictions now eased, the faith-based and recovery communities are starting to find their way to shore. The first tentative steps to reuniting are being taken.

The Jesco Club on Blair Boulevard, long a mainstay for recovering alcoholics, is now open on a limited basis. Jesco’s schedule can be found on Facebook. Other Alcoholics Anonymous groups have been meeting in person (with limited seating), and hybrid schedules are available online for AA (EVIaaweb.org).

Refuge Recovery, a nonprofit dedicated to Buddhist principles to aid addiction recovery, will soon announce the possibility of meeting in person, and its information can be found on Facebook. Other recovery groups, for the time being, are continuing with Zoom meetings, and those Zoom meetings could become a permanent fixture.

Places of worship appear to be taking a cautious approach to reopening. Everyone, it seems, is mindful of what has happened to two churches in Oregon — The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church near La Grande and The Peoples Church in Salem — which flouted state-wide protocols and suffered with a flurry of positive COVID cases.

The summer months for local places of worship will serve as building blocks for what pastoral leaders hope will be full-steam ahead activities in the fall. Most have begun the process with limited-seating services.

The intergenerational aspect of faith-based organizations will play a big role in deciding how fast they fully open up, leaders have noted in news letters to their congregations. That’s because children 12- and under are not yet vaccinated, so consult the website of your place of worship for protocol details.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!