Dear Beacon:

I heard a rumor.

That’s how the email sent to my (Rev. Emilie) inbox began.

Throughout this time of social distancing, it’s been difficult to know what’s really happening. Communities like Beacon, not to mention organizations, politicians and companies, have ramped up their communications. I recently heard that even well-known companies like Coca Cola doubled their marketing budget this year so that they could stay top of consumers’ minds. No wonder our inboxes are flooded, and our notifications are going off every two seconds! Everyone wants our attention, and we’re overwhelmed and tuning out.

That’s when the rumors begin.

So, one Beacon member reached out directly to the Leadership Team: I heard a rumor. Is it true that there’s no Services Auction this year?

I laughed out loud at my desk.

“Thank you for asking!” I responded. “I’m delighted to report that the Services Auction is happening. However, it is not happening in November as it has in the past. It’s moving to Spring: March 12, 2022. Please make sure to send the real news back through the network!”

Mark your calendars, Beacon! Led by new co-chairs, Kris Gordon and Laura Buoncuore, the Services Auction is themed Springing Forward Together and will be a celebration of our community. Want to get in touch? Write to servicesauction@summitbeacon.org

As we spring toward an endemic life (meaning Covid-19 will continue to circulate among the population more predictably), we realize that our community has shifted. We’re not all gathering on one day or at one time. Nor are we getting our communications from one platform. Yet, it’s vital that our community of communities is informed and has access to our ministries. So, we are also experimenting with new ways of communicating, to help shift away from rumors and towards communications on a human scale.

In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to our new Communications Consultant who will help us reach these goals. If you are interested in getting involved, if you have feedback/questions, even if you have rumors you’d like to verify, we’d like to hear from you.

Write to communications@summitbeacon.org.

With a faith known as Love,

Dr. Tuli, Revs Robin and Emilie