Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
I was looking forward to announcing the move to the next phase of our regathering. A positive move of the Dakota and Scott County metrics over the holidays looked promising.
Based on the movement of numbers related to infection rates, positivity tests, and new cases, we had begun to plan an inside, in-person communion worship for the end of January. As you might imagine, there is a lot of extra work that is needed for us to implement the safety guidelines that we established based on recommendations from the CDC, Stay Safe MN, and ACTNOW. For the last two weeks, we announced that we needed volunteers to help us with the effort.
I wrote a letter that we were in the process of editing when the numbers, which are based on a rolling fourteen-day average, changed. Sadly, the holidays produced an increase in covid cases. With the numbers as they are now (and are trending), we will remain in Phase 2. Our plans for offering an in-person inside communion will need to be put on hold for the moment.
[ASIDE: You can find out what phase we are in by checking the church website: www.stjameslc.org]
While we wait for our county metrics to improve, let’s review a few important points of our Regathering Phase Plan involving NUMBERS, CAPACITY, and GRACE.
First, the pace of our moving between phases is based on numbers that come from the two counties in which our ministry is located. These numbers, which are reported to us by medical professionals, represent how the virus is actually affecting the community. They do not come from politicians nor do they make political calculations.
When the numbers go up, it reflects an increased risk from a more robust presence of covid in our midst. Likewise, when the numbers decrease, we are moving in the direction of a lessened risk. St. James Lutheran’s approach, which was approved by our Council in November, uses numbers to determine ministry options that are reasonably safe for us to offer.
We have been cautious when it comes to our in-person opportunities because we are aware of a large number of folks in our community that are vulnerable. Gathering in large numbers posses an unequal risk to them and we don’t want to exclude them by saying that ‘it’s best for them to stay home.’ We are church together and must move in the direction of what is best for our community as a whole.
We are also balancing the important need of folks to come together. We have been creative in offering a variety of online, and parking-lot options. And we seek to offer inside opportunities, as soon as the numbers allow.
This brings us to the issue of capacity. Every congregation has a limited set of resources from which it carries out its ministry. The greatest is people. God blesses us with time, talent, and treasure. We use these gifts to share the love of Jesus with each other and with the larger community. Generosity provides the fuel that moves us forward. It also establishes the boundaries of what we are able to do.
Back in December, I shared a financial need. Although giving was strong throughout the pandemic, expenses exceeded income in October and then again in November. Complicating matters were a few building-related expenses -involving heating and air purification. I am thankful to announce that the St. James Community responded in abundance. We were able to significantly close the gap and finish the year on a positive note. Full financial reports will be available after Council approves them at its January meeting. Thank you! Again, I say, “THANK YOU!” Without your financial support, we could not do all that we do.
That said, our ministry is more than money. Ministry is people. Financial contributions help provide the staff that inspires, empowers, equips, and organizes opportunities for us all to share in the love of Jesus. Whether it is worship, Bible Study, Faith Teams, Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth, pastoral care, or any of our service ministries - None of our ministries can happen without people giving their time and talent. Where folks don’t step up and out, we can’t move in that direction, no matter how important it might seem.
This reality affects our regathering. Although we will move into each Phase based on the numbers, our capacity for doing ministry at each phase is determined by the stewardship response of our community. I mentioned above that anticipating a change in phase, we asked for volunteers to help out with inside worship. Despite our multiple invitations, we had one person step forward. Finding volunteers is complicated by the fact that we are not able to reach out to our usual folks, many have health concerns or are members of vulnerable populations that should not be out in group settings.
Capacity also involves personal choice and comfort levels. The experience of covid has been unequal. Some in our community have had multiple family members and friends die while others have been inconvenienced. We must honor the place where each person finds themself with regards to the coronavirus. The sum of individual decisions forms our capacity for regathering as a community. Without judgement, we will move through each phase of regathering as our capacity allows. Regathering is not a race nor is it a competition with other churches in the area.
As I think about numbers, capacity, and ministry, my Lutheran identity reminds me about Grace. Imperfection is a part of every plan, decision, process, and relationship that we can imagine, form, and live out. We are in constant need of grace from our loving God to set us back on track, to head in the direction of Christ. Without grace, we miss an important part of what it means to be a church and a child of God. By the Grace of God, we are forgiven, renewed, beloved, and invited to share the love of Jesus with others. Grace is a foundational value that provides critical guidance and assurance. We need to dwell in it and share it often.
Trusting in the grace of God, I pray that this email finds you in good health and spirits.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt