Dear friends,
Over the past three weeks the rate of new local covid cases has dropped well under the 1 per day threshold in each of the three local jurisdictions. Therefore regathering will begin this Sunday, August 30 8am & 10:30 am Eucharist in-person and live streamed, 9:15 Family service by ZOOM. Backpack & laptop blessing at all services. In-person worship will continue while the rate of new local cases remains under 1 per day over 14 days in at least two of the three local jurisdictions. NOTE: In-person attendance is limited to 41 households or individuals. Masks and social distancing required. Communion will be distributed in bread only. Links for these services will be sent out tomorrow.
Last Sunday I encouraged you to ask other people where they are seeing God at work. Thank you for sharing some of these responses:
- Increased appreciation for things previously taken for granted.
- A desire for community and a new willingness to overcome a resistance to using technology.
- Increased generosity, volunteering, and concern for others.
- Renewed hope that we can cooperate for the greater good, even when significant sacrifice is required.
- Revived awareness of inequity in our economy and opportunities to make long needed changes.
- The joy, energy, and hope for the future returning students bring into our community.
- In nature, music, others
- Wherever there is hope for a better world ahead at this time of a pandemic and political strife and chaos in our own country.
- In the details of my life that I would often overlook. He always provides the right people at the right time.
- In the things the community is doing to help others, such as the Masketeers group that has made 1000s of masks so far.
- In all the medical professionals who are serving daily.
- In the eagerness of students to return to learning despite the circumstances.
- In the marvel and mystery of every living thing by which we are surrounded.
- In a pandemic and other trials that tie our community and our world into awareness of our common life.
So much depends upon what we pay attention to. Keep asking others where they are perceiving God at work. As you do, pay attention for the opportunity or the invitation to join in God's work, not just as an observer, but as a participant, servant, partner, or a friend. What opportunities and invitations you are noticing? What might be getting in the way of joining God? Is it a lack of reliable information? A lack of resources? A sense of inadequacy? A lack of confidence? Something else?
Finally, take the opportunity to give praise and thanks to God. Lifting up your heart in praise and thanks for what others see God doing is a way of participating in God's work of healing and liberation.
With gratitude,
Tuck +
