As many know, I have a partner in life, Eric, and we have been sharing our lives for the last 4 years, moving back and forth between my house in Roseville and his in West Marin county. I have been sheltered in place for over two weeks here in Lagunitas after it got through my brain that I am over 65 and have a chronic health condition that puts me at risk. We are grateful to be together and grateful for a safe place to be.
I hope we are each reaching out to our friends and family that live alone or in care facilities that restrict visitors. A call, a text, Facetime, Zoom or Skype – just connecting with a voice and a face can help all of us stay in a better place emotionally. I hope we are staying connected with other family and friends, too. Make a Facetime dinner date, cocktail hour date, or coffee date. Start a virtual book club. Do Yoga each Monday evening with Sharon Greene on Facebook Live! We’re all working at staying connected.
I am meeting weekly with the Vestry on Tuesday evening Zoom calls and with staff and volunteers on Tuesday morning Zoom calls. The Bishop is also holding weekly Zoom calls for clergy, staff, and volunteers throughout the diocese so that we can all be current with the Bishop’s direction and leading. All of these ways of connecting are helping us stay #alonetogether.
This is a hard and weird time. We wonder what each day’s news will bring and what it means for the long haul. One thing is clear, as followers of Jesus we are called to help protect those most vulnerable and to do what we can to slow the spread of the virus in order to protect our health care system and health care workers from being overwhelmed by the work they do saving lives. We must be diligent in doing our part.
This week I am struck again by the depth of our Lenten study readings. The writer this week reminds us all of a wonderful song –
I have decided to follow Jesus
. Remember it from Sunday School or Church Camp? The words are good reminders for us right now Here is a prayer from our readings that helped me:
Dear God, you who are both mother and father to us, thank you for people who come alongside us and help us on our way. Remember their names, even if we do not. Bless them. And give us an open heart so that we can accept the kindness of strangers as well as friends. Help us to walk forward day by day with graciousness and trust. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
(pg. 125)
Stay safe. Pray gently. Be gracious to yourself and to others. And join me - I have decided to follow Jesus – no turning back, no turning back.
With Love,
Pastor Liz
