My friends, we are living in times like most of us have never lived before! A pandemic that has all of us guessing about what this will lead too, where it will lead us, and how will we respond? In a bit of a "News Flash", these questions and responses are not new to the church universal, nor to the United Methodist Church. The church has always faced trouble and opposition. The difference here is now, we, as a congregation and a people who are united are at the forefront of what we do and how we respond.
We have been given mandates to not meet in groups of more than 10 people, we are being suggested that we not meet in public places in groups for what seems like eternity, we are simply reminded to wash our hands and not touch our face. We are being cautioned to do things that will help keep us healthy and ultimately alive. That too my friends has been the work of the church for it's entire lifetime, to stay alive and proclaim the message that God is alive and well even in the midst of struggles and pandemonium. We, as the gathered community of believers are reminded that even through death we are people who proclaim a life of eternity. As our Bishop Paul Leland reminded us today in an email, we are much like the Israelites, wandering in uncharted territory. But even in uncharted territory God continues to use us for God's good and God's glory.
As we journey through these times, let us use this time for checking on our neighbors who may be in a high-risk category, spending dedicated times of prayer for those who suffer most from the viral onset, our medical professionals, our first-responders who do not know what they will find upon arrival. Spend this time as a healthy sabbath, connecting with God in new and different ways through prayer, meditative walking alone, music, and contemplative reading, only to name a few ways. Pray for your church, please pray for your pastor as this is new territory for him as well, for your church leaders, and for those in our community and world that do not know the saving power of Jesus Christ.
I am asking you to be the church in the most powerful of ways! To be present with God wherever you are and whatever you are doing.
Faithfully in Christ,
Pastor Mark