A Letter from Janet, April 16, 2020
Dear Grace Church community,
I have been saying over and over, “We are in this together.” My mind and my heart have been worrying about that
together
part and struggling with how I could retire in the middle of all that we are going through right now. It has become clear to me that I want to be with you a while longer as
together
we live and navigate these difficult times. I talked with Bishop Doug Fisher and told him I didn't want to leave the Grace Church community right now and asked if I might delay my retirement date. He said he would fully support whatever I decided to do. I have visited with the Executive Committee and the Vestry and have reset my retirement date for August 1. None of us know what our world will be like then, but I hope to give us some time to learn and grow more familiar with our new normal as church and as community and
together
support one another in these times.
It was truly a joy to see so many gathered for Morning Prayer on Easter Morning. I know that this experience is not the same, not as we remember our times together as church. But I am so grateful that you are willing to be courageous and generous in a time that is unlike any other in my life. Even away from our building and our music and our flowers and the chocolate fountain, it truly felt like Easter seeing so many loving faces. Resurrection is real in the here and now. And so is Good Friday. But with God’s love, with you, with us together, life and joy is possible even in these very hard times.
Please join us for Morning Prayer this Sunday, April 19. The Rev. Jen Bloesch will be preaching. I hope to see you as well for our Third Sunday Supper at 6:00 PM. Either prepare a meal at home or order out from one of our local restaurants. The next Agape service will be Sunday, April 26.
I look forward to being with you as we continue to learn about being community in new ways and new settings, and as we support each other and those around us in an unsettled world. I truly am thankful for all of you and for the life we share. I feel blessed to be among you.
May the hope of Christ be with you,
Janet
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through this time, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
