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Friday Update

May 29, 2020

To Our Second Family,

There is no doubt that we are living in an historic moment. None of us in our lifetimes has ever experienced anything quite like the global health pandemic that has reshaped so much – and impacted so many – over these past several months.

This summer we are fortunate to have Emmaline Rogers serving as our ministry intern at Second. She brings to this role both a passion for writing and a desire to get to know more closely the life and work of the Church. Given that we are living through history as it’s happening, Emmaline is focusing her time with us on capturing stories of faith during the health crisis.

Take a few moments to read more about her project below. And, get to know Emmaline by reading her own story that she shares here as well. We have included a link with the questions she will be exploring with our members through the conversations she will be having, as well as her email address. If you are willing to take part in her project, send her a note, introduce yourself, and volunteer to tell your story. 

As the writer Melanie Koulouris says, "Everyone has a story to tell, a lesson to teach, and wisdom to share...Life is a beautiful masterpiece bound together by your experiences. Open up and share your story; become an inspiration to others.”

Grace and peace,

Stephen
Collecting Our COVID-19 Stories Project

I want to create a platform for this congregation to share what you have been going through, what you are struggling with, and what has brought you joy and hope, so that you can see that God stands at your side and that you have support in whatever you have been dealing with. Community is hard to maintain when you can’t show up at someone’s door with something homemade and a hug, when you can’t check in on people on your way into the sanctuary or Sunday school room, but your story deserves to be heard, and your congregation is your family, so who better to offer a listening ear. You are the ones best equipped to help each other through this, with prayer and phone calls and sharing the love of Christ that all of you have been revealing to each other since the congregation formed. I hope this publication helps you better connect with each other and offers some comfort in the midst of all this. 

With that being said, I’d love to hear from you! My main job as intern is recording the congregation’s experience with the pandemic. I’d love to interview you, but I’m also including some questions if you want to write down your experiences. You don’t have to answer the questions, or you can pick and choose, they are simply an aid for getting the story flowing. I also won’t share your responses if you don’t want me to, and I will always confirm what passages or quotes I will use before sharing them even if you’ve already given me permission to use what you give me. I also would love to receive pictures! Seeing each other’s faces is another incredibly important part of getting through this time, so take lots of pictures and share anything you’re willing to share. Another portion of this project is a collection of two-minute videos answering the questions, “How has the pandemic challenged your faith/how has the pandemic reaffirmed your faith?” These would be shared in the Sunday service. I’d love to hear from everyone of all ages. You can reach me at erogers@2ndmemphis.org . Click here to read the questions guiding this storytelling project.
A Story of Rearrangements

The last picture I have from college before the pandemic is a photograph of my dorm room. I took it because I was proud of my cleaning job; I’d put fresh sheets on my bed, all my clothes were clean and folded and put away, my desk was cleared off and organized. My suitcase was leaned against my bed and packed with maybe three or four complete outfits that would safely last me the length of my spring break. My room was spic and span, ready for a joyful return where I’d collapse on my bed and friends would flood into my room telling stories and cracking jokes. When I took the picture, I was bracing myself for two weeks away from classes I loved and people I loved, spent back in an environment I’d been desperately homesick for but that I had finally managed to move on from. I’d already said goodbye to everyone and I’d found a ride to the airport with the tennis coach and a couple athletes. I wasn’t exactly excited to be leaving, but I bought myself a roll of Mentos and got on a plane. Click here to read more of Emmaline’s story.