Here We Go Again

Rev. Joshua Patty
Regional Minister and President

This summer, did you notice the moment when our country came together? It wasn’t the Olympics. It was in mid-May, when, regardless of our views of the virus, mask-wearing, or vaccines, we collectively agreed that the COVID pandemic was over. Well, the spread of the Delta variant has brought the pandemic front and center again, along with all of the divisive issues that seem to come along with it.

I never imagined that I would need to look so often for so much medical information. In the past 18 months, I’ve visited federal, state, and county health department websites and social media, along with several hospitals and various news outlets. I feel a deep responsibility as a pastor to serve as a shepherd, looking out for the well-being of those I serve alongside. I’m sure many of you feel similar responsibilities in your family, community, and church.

I worry that the next few months could be the worst part of the pandemic for us. Certainly, there is the threat that significant numbers of people will become seriously ill and they could overwhelm the limited resources of our health care system. If this happens, there would be far too much suffering and too many deaths.

Even more, it seems likely that our fractured society will become even more divided in the coming months. Our challenge and our opportunity as church is to show a different way -- Jesus’ way -- in the face of suffering, name-calling, scapegoating, and more. To do it, we must not grow weary -- even though we are tired of all things COVID. We must exhibit love that invites, love that listens, and love that refuses to write anyone off or leave anyone behind.

This type of love will demand patience and persistence from us. It will be easy for our churches to become another tribe that is only accepting of those who fully agree with certain things. Instead, we need to listen more -- to each other and to God. Then we can worship, support, and serve together.