Dear Ones,

Henri J.M. Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic priest and theologian said the following:

Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to a place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it.

We have been hearing about “compassion fatigue” as we have been dealing with a global pandemic for the last twenty-two months. When we call Covid-19 a global pandemic, it makes it possible to distance ourselves from the effects, because it is something that is happening over there somewhere. But every one of us knows someone who has died or has had long lasting effects from the virus. It is in our neighborhood, our schools and hospitals, and in many cases in our families and homes. It is a present condition that has affected in some way literally every single person in the entire world.

I can’t imagine what it is like to be a healthcare worker right now. My dear friend Christyn is a hospital chaplain in Kansas City, and she shared about how hard it is to be at the bedside of Covid patients as they are taken off ventilators, with their families watching via Facetime as she holds the tablet, while they say their last goodbyes. We have learned that this is not a sprint, but a marathon. We will need all of our resources—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—those fruits of the Spirit to get through this. And most importantly, we need each other. We need our church to be a place where we come together and remember that, as children of God, we have been given these gifts to share with the world. I know that I am tired, crabby and impatient…when will things return to normal? Like David in Psalm 90:30, I ask, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!

But I know that I must learn to accept a new normal and find the joy and peace that Christ has offered each of us. I will rejoice and be glad that we are able to worship in person, even if it means I have to wear a mask and I am taking communion from a packaged kit. I will remember that each day is a gift, and I will cherish it and the people who I am privileged to know and love, always striving to do the next right thing.

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Yours in Christ,

Pr. Tricia

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Prescott Valley, AZ

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

7763 E. Long Look Dr.

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

PH (928) 772-4135

FX (928) 759-3541



website: emmanuellutheranpv.org

email: emmanuelelca@gmail.com

submissions: ELCPVnews@gmail.com

Office Hours

Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.