Our Next Steps
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Grace and peace to each of you on this beautiful spring day in the Great Fifty Days of Easter! It has been three weeks since my last letter, even though it seems like three months. So much has happened – and, so much has not yet happened – we are still quarantined in our homes, striving to stay safe, and connect with family, friends, neighbors, and our church community. I am so grateful for all of you, for the myriad ways you have learned technology, tried new things, joined Zoom meetings, coffee hours, happy hours, Pew Pals, and helped us lead worship. For all of you who are working, praying, home-schooling, adapting, and helping others. You inspire all of us to create, connect, and think in new ways about the meaning of church and community, and I pray that you feel God’s grace and love each day.
Our bishop sent a letter this week in response to Governor DeWine’s directives on the Phase I changes in Ohio beginning May 1. Bishop Breidenthal writes, “I appreciate that we have been given permission (for religious gatherings) but feel strongly that as a religious body the Diocese of Southern Ohio must go the extra mile to take every measure not to spread COVID 19. We must make sacrifices to obey Christ’s command to love our neighbor and take every precaution not to infect others unknowingly.” The bishop continues, “So, as of May 1, I will permit live-streaming or pre-recorded streaming of church services from the interior of our church buildings, with a maximum of five people physically distant from one another. Masks must be worn. Hand sanitizer or hand-washing must be used frequently.”
Our worship team has been in conversation about how to go forth with our weekly worship. As you probably know, we are now recording all portions of the service in our homes and communications director, Nicole Hershey is skillfully combining them into a service. I am so grateful for the contributions of the Yeoh family, our readers, singers, and those recordings from previous years. Each of us is learning new methods to communicate, download, upload, etc. We will continue this practice in the weeks ahead, but with the Bishop’s permission, our musicians are pla
nning to once again pre-record in the church which allows more flexibility in performance. You will continue to receive an email on Sunday mornings with links to the service recording and order of service.
None of knows how the future will unfold in the weeks and months ahead. Please know that our executive team, strategic planning, and worship groups are considering ways to take next steps. Research will be done into continuing some sort of recording or live-stream of our services and Zoom meetings and gatherings will continue so that even those who cannot risk exposure can take part in worship and community. I will let you know about next steps as they unfold. Our vestry had our first Zoom meeting last night. It was the first time leadership actually had a mute button for a vestry meeting but we didn’t need it, of course. We were glad to see and hear one another and think about the future of St. Barnabas. Our senior warden, John Davies, ended the meeting by reminding all of us that we need to think about ways to “transition forward – not look back.” Good words for all of us remember. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus may we not look back, but
transition forward – together – with God.
God’s grace and peace to you,
Nancy+
