Friday, March 27, 2020
Here we are, at the end of a week. EMerge comes out on Fridays, and it does so today, on a Friday so very different than what any of us have ever experienced.
Over the past two weeks, so much has changed. Every one of us has been learning new skills, new ways of doing things—curtailing one activity while expanding other commitments of our life together. There will be no in-person worship this Sunday and for many more weeks; no physical passing-of-the-peace, no coffee fellowship, no traditional Wednesday-in-Lent meal. But ministry—oh, there is so much of that: prayer networks and remote care and Bible studies on Zoom and groceries on stoops. The Word is being proclaimed by telephone, mail, and online across this Presbytery. Acts of mutual care and putting our values in action are blossoming.
To all of you, Thank you. Thank you for all you are doing in difficult times. We see the beautiful, powerful, resourceful work you are doing. We see your commitment and your love for your community. We pray for strength, pacing, and self-care in the weeks ahead for us all.
Our work as the Presbytery in these past weeks continues to be supporting our congregations and leaders, even if how we do that changes day-by-day. If there is one clear thing we are seeing in the many ways that churches across our presbytery are coming together in this time, it is that we always do better together. This is also a core message of the gospel and a gift of the early Church. What a gift to see this light being shed amongst us.
Our priorities will continue to change with the situation… and God will continue to provide with and for us -- and for the world. It is Lent, but
we are not alone
. It is unbelievably hard at times, but yet:
we live in God’s world
.
We encourage you to visit regularly the
Presbytery website
for updated information. The same with the
Presbytery Facebook page
. (And if you haven’t “liked” our page, here are some instructions for how to do so.) And we ask for your prayers, every day:
- for congregations and leaders doing everything they can in so many new ways;
- for our chaplains and health care workers, putting themselves forward in remarkable but often dangerous ways;
- for the most vulnerable among us, our older adults and those already ill.
- for our national and local leaders, that they act with wisdom and clarity.
We offer our continued love, support, and hope as we live in this time of doing ministry in the midst of a pandemic. As the ground does shift day-by-day, we’re thankful for your willingness to be flexible and faithful as we seek to serve all in our care. Blessings to each of you as we close with these honest, courageous, and faithful word of prayer:
We are frightened, God,
Worried for our loved ones,
Worried for our world.
Helpless and confused,
We turn to You
Seeking comfort, faith and hope.
Teach us God, to turn our panic into patience,
And our fear into acts of kindness and support.
Our strong must watch out for our weak,
Our young must take care of our old.
Help each one of us to do our part to halt the spread of this virus
Send strength and courage to the doctors and nurses
In the frontlines of this battle,
Fortify them with the full force of their healing powers.
Send wisdom and insight to the scientists
Working day and night across the world to discover healing treatments.
Bless their efforts, God.
Fill our leaders with the wisdom and the courage
To choose wisely and act quickly.
Help us, God, to see that we are one world,
One people
Who will rise above this pandemic together.
Send us health God,
Watch over us,
Grace us with Your love,
Bless us with Your healing light.
Hear us God,
Heal us God,
Amen. Rabbi Naomi Levy
Your officers and staff,
Anna Kendig, Moderator Jean Emmons, Vice-Moderator
Barbara Lutter, Stated Clerk Rocky Rockenstein, Presbytery Leadership Team Chair
Steve Robertson, Treasurer Jeffrey Japinga, Executive Presbyter
