We’re days away from Palm Sunday and Holy Week and Easter. The congregations of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley, like so many others, are making plans.
Many of our congregations will be worshipping in person for the first or second time in 2021 or longer.
And heaven knows we need the Easter hope and joy that a rousing Easter service provides. Some of our congregations have been back to in-person gatherings for weeks or months now. Some will be waiting to return to in-person worship, offering thoughtful online options and print options for members near and far. Some congregations will be back in person and will continue to offer an online option, because not all members are able to return to in-person worship and because some have received members during the pandemic who simply are not local. Amazing!
As I keep track of Covid counts throughout our counties, I’m heartened to see some are on a consistent downward trajectory, while some are less predictable, and some are beginning to climb again after a few weeks of lower numbers. I know you know this, but feel compelled to say once again, the important protocols of masks, social distancing and strict handwashing are the best ways to be thoughtful and wise, even as more people are immunized and more congregations gather again in-person. It is not prudent yet to be singing hymns as a congregation. It’s not prudent at this time to be reinstituting the coffee hour we knew and loved. It may or may not be time yet to re-gather in person– if your session is watching the counts for your community and making necessary arrangements to gather as safely as possible, and deciding that it’s not safe yet or again, please thank them for watching out for you and for the whole community.
Please think of these precautions as one more way in which we can be good neighbors– one more way in which we can say we’re looking out for the needs of others— one more way in which we are living out our Matthew 25 faith.
Siblings, we are going to get through this season of pandemic, and we’ll get there sooner if we care for one another in cautious and helpful ways. Please continue to exercise patience and prudence, and while we’re masking, distancing, washing our hands and waiting to do all of the traditional things, please let us not grow weary in well-doing.
May you have a most blessed Holy Week.
unsplash photo by Rosie Kerr
