"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:9-10
Shenandoah District
Daily Connection
March 16, 2020
Resources for Leaders
From the Desk of District Executive Minister John Jantzi
Dear All,

The COVID-19 virus outbreak is an event that calls for our very best thought, prayers and response. The column above, right, contains some responses and recommendations the District and States have made. In addition:

1. The District is working at developing a network of people to report on needs, concerns and prayers in their part of the District. The designated people and accompanying responsibilities will be released tomorrow.
2. We will be providing a daily District release that features a mediation, specific resources, prayer, and resource concerns. Once the network of support is up and functional, we invite individuals to submit prayers, concerns, and resource ideas to these individuals, which will then be given to the District Office for inclusion in the daily update.
3. The District Office will be operating with skeleton staffing. John Jantzi will be in daily from 9:00-5:00. Office Manager Sarah Long will be in on Monday and Wednesdays. All other office staff will be working from home until further notice. All District meetings sponsored directly by the District, e.g. the CGI class has been canceled this week. We will evaluate on a week by week basis and make further adjustments per the emerging situation.
4. In addition, many congregations are already posting, emailing, and working at communication and support mechanisms. Be tuned in to what your congregation may be doing.

We have an opportunity, during this time of much uncertainty, to build the bonds of fellowship and community ever deeper in Jesus Christ. Let’s continue to support each other in the deepening of our faith and the broadening of our compassion.

Serving Christ Together in Hope and Expectancy,

John Jantzi
Shenandoah District Executive Minister
A Meditation for the Times:
Dear Fellow Saints of the Shenandoah District,

I confess to being breathless this morning. The rapidity of change over the past week has been staggering. Decisions made on one day soon become outmoded, if not irrelevant, on the next. We stand claiming God’s guidance and mercy in ways we had not imagined two weeks ago.

How shall we live and move together during this time? Each day I will be releasing, via email and our Shenandoah District website, thoughts of hope and encouragement. This email will include prayers, ideas and thoughts from around the District.

The question I am pondering today is this. How do we keep responding to needs and concerns when physical spacing is of increasing importance? Galatians 6:9 says it like this, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

How do we keep on doing good? That question is much on the minds of pastors, deacons, and caretakers I have spoken with the past several days. When it is not possible to visit the most vulnerable among us, how do we fulfill the call of the Gospel?

I believe a primary way is a proper understanding of the relationship of fear and love. Our call is to operate in such a manner that demonstrates our ultimate faith and trust in God. That is paramount above all else. As Paul says in Ist Timothy 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline."

The antithesis to the spirit of fear is, among others, the spirit of love. As an illustration, "For the glory of God and our neighbors good" is a familiar refrain in the Church of the Brethren. How do we love our neighbor and put our neighbors good front and center?

One way of viewing the various restrictions, recommendations, and mandates that are part of daily living is to see those through the eyes of love. These are not unnecessary, burdensome regulations that threaten our everyday practices but rather concrete expressions of love and self-discipline. We follow these "best practices" not because we are afraid for our own welfare and safety, but because it is an act of love not to expose those who are most vulnerable to potential illness needlessly. We base our decisions “for our neighbors good.”

I believe deeply that we will find ways of tending to the needs of each other and our neighborhoods that we cannot yet see. God’s Spirit will be and is at work, stirring our imaginations that will open vistas not yet visible (You will find ideas gleaned from a variety of sources in a separate attachment).

This is my prayer for us today:
Lord, by the indwelling of your Spirit, grant us the spirit of power, love and self-control.
Help us to truly act in the spirit of our neighbors’ good.
Give us eyes to see the possible during restrictions.
Help us see ways of worshiping that go beyond our sanctuaries.
Help us to care for each other that transcends the limits of physical space.
Help us to pray in ways that call for the love and power of God to be present among us.
Help us to act in compassion, mercy and generosity.

May God Be Glorified,
Amen

John Jantzi
Shenandoah District Executive Minister
IDEAS AND IMAGININGS:
WAYS TO CARE FOR EACH OUR MOST VULNERABLE FOLK

1. Create a list of folks with limited mobility and access. Make sure these lists contain primary ways of contacting those individuals.
2. Create a phone tree and card tree for folks with limited access.
3. Check with local government and law enforcement officials regarding neighborhood needs.
4. Review deacon funds and outreach funds to ensure resources are available to those who may need assistance.
5. Schedule pastors or deacon time when individuals can talk about specific areas of concern. This should be done via phone or whatever available means of communication.
6. Activate and utilize prayer chains
7. Other
Kevin Daggett and John Jantzi

SABBATH REST AND SELF-CARE
1. Tune in to churches who are going on-line with their worship services.
2. Read one of the gospels in one sitting.
3. Have an extended time of prayer and praise.
4. Have a family hymn sing around the piano.
5. Find a quiet spot in nature and enjoy a time of praise and meditation.
6. Cultivate spiritual practices that we may have been neglecting.
7. Spend extra time praying for people to come to know Jesus.
8. Spend extra time praying about whatever’s on your mind or just praising God.
9. Spend extra time praying for your church, your family, and your government leaders.
Jan Orndorff and George Bowers

RESOURCE LINKS
Discipleship Ministries of the Church of the Brethren will host a conversation and time of sharing about going online this weekend. Use the link below to register and get the meeting link.

When: Tues., Mar 17 , 1 p.m. EST (12 p.m. Central Time US and Canada)
Topic: Church Online

Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RX2gwafXS8Sspp1qM9s6RA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.