Wednesday, April 1, 2020

  A message from the Pastor: 

Dear Friends:

             There are a lot of emotions that have come out during this Covid-19 pandemic—fear, anger, boredom, anxiety.  For a moment I want to focus on grief.  This interruption of normalcy has caused us to lose a lot.  As a congregation, we have lost the opportunity to gather for worship each week.  That is especially difficult as we approach Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter.

There are many losses we share with the general community.  We are unable to visit the sick and the dying in the way we are used to doing.  We are unable to have funerals right now.  We can no longer attend school, go to prom, have concerts and athletic events, and walk across the stage for graduation.  Some of us are no longer able to go to work because of severe effects on our economy.  All of these and more cause a great sense of loss, strong feelings of grief.

        Earlier today, I was lamenting that all of this was happening around Holy Week.  Perhaps, if something like this had to happen, Easter is the best time for it to happen.  Easter is the great annual reminder that grief does not have the last word.  God is the giver of new life and resurrection.  That gives me hope and helps soften the blow of what we have lost.

         We will get through this.  I am looking forward to seeing all of you again.  In the meantime, I hope you stay well, and if you have any needs we can help with, please give us a call.

            In Christ, 
Pastor John