To the APC Community,
I am trying to keep things in perspective. Trying to stay positive. So, I pulled out a resource book called, The Way of Gratitude. In his “Meditation on Gratitude and Joy,” Jack Kornfield writes, “Gratitude is a gracious acknowledgement of all that sustains us, a bow to our blessings, great and small, an appreciation of the moments of good fortune that sustain our life every day. We have so much to be grateful for.”
I agree. But right now, it’s hard to feel grateful. Our minds are awhirl with uncertainty, with keeping track of what is open and when, of where we can and can’t go and what we can and can’t do, and with wondering if we or a loved one will get sick or worse.
One good thing is that we’re all going through this – together – or actually, we’re all going through this apart. The coronavirus calls us to separate, and has left us feeling vulnerable, stressed and scared. I get it. It’s normal. But I want you to know that as “distanced” as we need to be with one another, we are still called to connect to one another. It may take different forms, and some more work and creativity, but please do connect. For that is what it means to BE CHURCH. It means we are bound and connected to one another through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
I am not sure what the next few weeks hold for us as a church, community and nation, or if we will be able to continue gathering worship leaders in the chapel to broadcast a worship service at 10:30 on Sunday morning, but we will find ways to BE CHURCH together.
I challenge you to BE CHURCH in these days by:
- Joining in from home with our online worship service on Sunday 3/22 at 10:30 a.m. Sing the hymns, take part in the responsive readings, listen and pray and be open to being part of our worshipping community. March 22 2020 Worship Folder 4th Sunday in Lent
- Reaching out to neighbors or church members who will delight in getting a call and hearing from you.
- Giving to a charity or organization that is helping others.
- Thanking those who are working at grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, etc. and putting themselves at risk.
- Praying . . . for our church, our nation and our world.
Know that I am praying for you, and the staff is continuing to work as much as able to support our efforts to BE CHURCH.
Please reach out with any specific needs or concerns and be assured that you are one of God’s beloved. If you need a reminder, scripture is filled with them! One of my favorites is Psalm 121:
1I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?
2My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Grace & Peace to you and your loved ones,
Pastor Diane
Rev. Diane Jamison Fitch
March 20, 2020