A Pastoral Update for Week After Pentecost
I write this the day after Pentecost, the day when “they were all gathered together in one place” (Acts 2:1). Pentecost is the “birthday” of the church, when people of every nation and language were united in the power of the Holy Spirit – all declaring the wonders of God. Peter stood up and preached the Good News of Jesus and His forgiveness, and warned the crowd to save themselves from a corrupt generation.
With the story of Pentecost as our backdrop, we have been enduring a closed church building and personal isolation from the fellowship of believers due to the virus. And now, as we anticipate our coming together again in joyful praise – once it is deemed safe for us to do so – it is unfortunate that concern expressed for the family of George Floyd and peaceful protests calling for justice have been overshadowed by lawless riots and wanton destruction in several of our cities across the nation. Please pray for the Floyd family and for our cities. As Christians, we are also called to pray for those misguided and angry souls who believe violence and chaos is the answer, that they might come to know the peace of God. I think of Paul’s words to the Corinthians: God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. We pray in the certainty of our enduring unity and fellowship in the Holy Spirit, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, assured that Christ’s church will persevere. Thanks be to God!
As we anticipate the time when we are able to resume church worship and activities, please know that your Session and I are proceeding with an abundance of caution and concern for those most vulnerable, taking into account the best advice and knowledge at our disposal, in the spirit of constant prayer, and with full trust in the protective care of our loving Shepherd and Great Physician. We have been discussing safe practices and drawing up preliminary drafts in order to be prepared for an eventual reopening. Until then, we have opportunity to practice the spiritual gift of patience and to employ prayer through the power of the Spirit.
Gov. Murphy recently commented on the prospects of churches reopening:
As long as our health metrics continue to trend in the right direction, I anticipate being able to raise the limits on indoor gatherings in a way that will allow for greater indoor religious services for the weekend of June 12…I, and my administration, will continue our deep partnership with our faith communities as we work through the proper safeguards that will need to be in place before we can welcome our communities back into their houses of worship…Our houses of worship are cornerstones of our communities — often rooted in historical and cultural tradition. We want them to be strong — and safe.
Although the Governor projected a possible target date, your Session will not rush to open until we are certain we can do so “strong – and safe”! We will keep you updated as we move forward with discernment and prayer. Until then, keep strong – and safe, O people of God!
Your friendly neighborhood pastor,
Gary Cecil