Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
I heard a lot of political chatter this past week about “reopening” churches. With the relaxing of restrictions on crowds gathering for religious purposes, some congregations have rushed to “open up.”
In a fantastic sermon during Wednesday night’s Evensong, Pastor Nancy reminded us all that the church never closed! Pastor shared the time-honored Vacation Bible School song - “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.”
The church is not a building. We are the people of God, gathered by the Spirit, to give witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The decision by the Executive Mission Team, affirmed by the Council, to switch from in-person to online/phone ministry is a great example of the church active in love.
When it was determined that to gather physically together was dangerous, especially to those most vulnerable to the virus, love demanded that we close the doors of our beloved building. Love keeps those doors shut until the point where it is safe to return to being in-person again.
Even though the doors at 3650 William’s Drive remain locked, St. James Lutheran Church is open, active, and vibrant. Online and phone ministries continue to build and deepen loving relationships with God, with each other, and with our neighbor. I am grateful for the amazing and creative job that our staff has been doing. The feedback has been encouraging. Giving remains strong allowing us to focus on ministry.
On Sunday following our Pentecost worship, I will be announcing three new initiatives that will strengthen us as we continue to navigate these turbulent waters of pandemic. Please tune in - wear red - and celebrate what God is doing through the church beyond the walls of a building.
About that building… At last week’s Council meeting, it was decided to form a Mission Team that would create a detailed plan for a safe return to in-person ministry. I am thrilled to announce that Vivian Aarestad and Diane Miller have graciously agreed to co-lead this effort. They are gathering resources and forming a team, which will include the voices of our medical professionals.
Having worked with both of these dedicated women on ministries, I am confident that they will be thorough and compassionate. We need to be patient and give them the time and support that this endeavor requires. The Covid-19 virus demands that we exercise caution and careful deliberation. Jesus’s command to love the neighbor asks no less. The church must give the safety needs of the most vulnerable in our midst top priority.
Meanwhile, we will continue to be the church. I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. Sharing the love of Jesus is what we remained called to do.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt