How many times have you thought about the changes that have occurred since Bishop Hazelwood’s visit on March 1st? As I write this, I wonder how our “new normal” will continue to change our lives? I could start to guess, but the bottom line is it really doesn’t matter. We still need to learn, adjust, and carry on with determination, strength, and resilience alongside feelings of fear, uncertainty, and loss of what use to be. During this Liturgical season of Easter, we are reminded of Jesus’s agony, abandonment, and pain. But through his resurrection we are renewed with God’s grace to share compassion, faithful living, and love. We can also reflect upon how current Christians live during this crisis. We hear of others struggling and offer support. We are told to change and we accept and find goodness. We discover inequality and facilitate new choices. We feel despair and are comforted through prayer. We yearn for tradition or sameness and accept that God’s calming hand is a constant.
Since our church service at Holy Trinity on March 15, we have learned new ways of staying connected with our faith, friends, and the liturgy. This has been easier for some people than for others depending upon factors of health, technology, family and community support. The Caring Connections Committee has begun a Shepard’s program of phone calling our members. The Church Council will be discussing what additional opportunities can help us stay connected. Please continue to notify the Church’s office, Pastor Tim, or a Council member should you or someone you know have a need.
Some people would love to know when we will be “back to normal,” while others wonder how different the new normal will be? We can only imagine the many emotions Jesus felt leading up to his death and resurrection. I’m confident we will also move through these changing times, knowing that the strength of our faith, support of family and friends, commitment by our greater community, talents of Mark in the Church’s office, and Pastor Tim’s pastoral leadership will carry us to brighter days.