Dear readers,
Yesterday morning (Friday the 22nd), I posted a video devotion that began with an announcement that we are having drive-in church. Though it’s nowhere near as good as being physically together in worship, it is certainly a good step in the right direction. I spent the rest of the day finalizing the arrangements for that (thanks, Grant, Steve, Jake, and Jackie for your help!), and writing a letter to our neighbors to let them know it’s happening. When I got home, I saw news about President Trump’s order that churches be open. Whew, things happen fast in a pandemic!
Friends, you have heard me say how much I deeply miss being in worship together, and I know you do, too. I go through periods of deep sadness not seeing the faces of so many wonderful people, and sharing hugs, and singing and laughing together. My heart breaks especially that we can’t grieve and support each other in the ways we so deeply need...phone calls and video chats are just not the same. And as much as I have become accustomed (sort of) to preaching to a camera and just envisioning your faces in the pews while I do so, I’ll be honest: it is no fun at all. I miss your input, your feedback, your laughter and tears and furrowed brows and impatience when I talk too long. I miss singing together! Church is absolutely not about the building, and worship is not confined to any particular place; God is much too powerful and real for that. But I am more aware than ever that something deeply holy happens when we worship TOGETHER. Something that happens nowhere else, in no other setting. The presence of Jesus Christ when the body of believers gathers together in worship is a miraculous thing.
But. And. The fact that worship has shifted to our homes does NOT mean that the Church has ever been closed. The Church has always been praying, and worshiping, and loving, and serving, Nothing but nothing could stop that. And I love you all far too much to rush us coming back to in-person worship before we can do so safely.
Within hours of President Trump’s announcement, our Bishops (along with local pastors and faith leaders all over the country) published their responses. Attached is the one from our Bishop Minerva Carcano, and a few other things that I found helpful. Our Bishop and the Cabinet are working hard to put guidelines together for us, to help us provide a safe place to worship. We will need time to put good practices into place, and our District Superintendent will need time to see that they are done well, before we will be given the green light. Each church in town will open on a different timeline, so you may see some open before we do, and others open after; please be in prayer for all of us, as we do our best to make the right decisions for our community.
In the meantime, as always, I and the members of Epworth UMC crave your prayers and your patient understanding. Our perceptions of this pandemic and how to navigate it intelligently and care-fully, our reactions to President Trump and the priorities of this current administration, our opinions about how and when to hold in-person worship services again all vary widely among us, for very good reasons. I pray that we resist the temptation to settle into “camps.” I pray that we assume the best in each other, and remember that even when our understandings and reactions differ they are rooted in deep, deep faith and a desire for things we all want: freedom, health, happiness, and the joy of worshiping together. Pray often, beloved, more often than ever. And above all, love one another. It is the primary way we express our love for God (Matthew 25:40, Matthew 22:36-40; John 15:12).
See you on Sunday for drive-in worship! Online, too, on Zoom at 9am and then on Facebook Live and KVLV AM980 at 9:30.
See you on Sunday for drive-in worship! Online, too, on Zoom at 9am and then on Facebook Live and KVLV AM980 at 9:30.
Leaning on His everlasting arms,
Pastor Dawn
