*Update in April on this article: Even though all of this still rings true, for the safety of our community, we are gathering online for worship for the time being. God bless*
I went to bed late last night as Governor Kate Brown had just made the announcement that all K-12 public schools will be closed for the next two weeks due to COVID-19. Most of us are not sure what to do during this time. What events do we attend? Do I need to stock up on home goods and dry goods? How do I help others at this time?
I am not sure I have answers to all these questions we are all struggling with as we are thrust into these uncertain times, but I would like to update you on how the church will be journeying through this time and how we as Christians might step into the days and weeks ahead. I want to start by saying the Session and leadership of the church will be making final decisions in the days to come, but here is some information and reflections for all of us before those decisions are made.
“What – if done by a church during a pandemic – would cause neighbors to be stunned by their kindness, courage, generosity, faith, hope, and love? Do that.” These words were posted in the last couple of days from the seminary I went to in Iowa. They struck me as the true calling of the people of God. In the midst of panic, fear, uncertainty, and chaos, how do we be God’s light of hope and peace in this world? After all, that is what we are called to be in the best of times, and that calling only deepens and increases in times of trouble. Along those same lines of the calling of the people of God, I would include how we gather together when we are supposed to be protecting each other by staying apart? Most of us rely on schools, businesses, public gatherings, and worship services as our connections with others. Therefore, as we are not gathering we are also not connecting. This leads our communities to fear and uncertainty while we remain isolated and disconnected.
How do we address this reality in the next few days and weeks to come? How do we live faithfully into God’s calling for us in this time and place? One way is to keep our space open and our gatherings happening in safe ways. We need to keep connecting in diverse ways in order to support and care for each other. As the church, we will strive to have our church building remain open and safe for people to continue gathering, and we will continue to gather for worship on Sunday mornings offering time and space for people to talk about and work through intense and deep issues.
Because the church is the gathered people of God we also have the responsibility to shine God’s light in our daily lives. So how do we show love and care to our neighbors, friends, family, and community these days? There are so many issues that are arising in our community with all of the schools and businesses shutting down, and it is hard to know how to support people. One population to keep an eye on is the elderly. Maybe an older neighbor needs to stay indoors because their body can’t handle getting sick. Would you be able to go grocery shopping for them or pick up needed prescriptions? Maybe a family in the neighborhood has kids who won’t be in school, but the parents have to work to put food on the table. Would you be able to provide childcare while the parents work? What other things can you do or relationships can you build right in your neighborhood as we are all trying to figure out what the future looks like? God offers hope and care beyond what the government, the doctors, and the authorities offer. Let us be the people who lean into that love and hope, building community and taking care of each other in creative and necessary ways.
At this point, we will continue to gather for worship on Sunday mornings. I do want to caution that worship and coffee hour may look very different during this time, but I hope it will be a place to connect, worship, and seek the guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit. It is up to each group of the church to decide if they will be gathering in the weeks to come for their various activities. The church will remain open to outside groups using the church building as a place to gather. The Session will be talking about our plans and we will keep you all posted. Please be sure to wash your hands and disinfect things such as tables, chairs, and doorknobs. And again, please don’t come if you are sick in any way or if you are immune-compromised in any way. We will be trying to stream our worship services online for all of us who can’t be together in person. If you don’t feel comfortable gathering at the church, please consider gathering in your neighborhood and homes for worship with those around you, including your friends and family.
If you would like someone to talk to or you have any questions, please contact the church office or call me so we can meet together. The church and I are here to offer support, prayers, and comfort, as well as a place together and people to gather with.
Blessings,
Kelsey
