Dear Redeemer Family,
Good evening friends. I hope this finds you well. I’m writing to you today to talk about how our parish is going to approach Sunday worship services and ministry programs given the recent surge in Covid cases from the Delta Variant.
Before I get into the details, know that I’ve spent significant time this week consulting with numerous physicians, nurses, and hospital workers both inside and outside our Parish. I’m also in regular communication with our Bishop and other Rectors in our Diocese on this issue. What I share today reflects the aggregate wisdom of thoughtful, Jesus-loving health care professionals and pastors.
A SMALL, BUT IMPORTANT CHANGE
Beginning this Sunday, August 15th, masks will be recommended for all people, of all ages, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Research continues to demonstrate that this is the highest-impact practice for protecting vulnerable people. We will have extra disposable masks and sanitizing stations available on Sunday.
THINGS REMAINING THE SAME
For the time being:
We will continue to offer two full-length worship services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
We will not be adding tape to the pews. Please feel free to sit where you like. If you feel the need for physical distance, you are welcome to sit in the balcony.
We will continue to offer full Nursery and Kids Ministry.
We will not be asking folks to RSVP for services or limiting attendance. All are welcome.
We will not be policing or strictly enforcing mask wearing. We recognize that, for some people, mask-wearing has become a socially, politically charged issue. We want you to know that, at Redeemer, we don’t view masks in that light. For us, this isn’t a political issue, but rather a medical issue where we have an opportunity to care for others.
Note: If you are volunteering in a particular role on Sunday morning (especially interactive volunteer roles like Nursery, Kids Ministry, Greeting, Serving Communion, etc.), then you will need to wear a mask.
Small groups and Youth Fellowship still plan to launch the Sunday following Aug. 29th. It may be wise to host these outdoors, although we’ll probably need to wait and see what the world is like when we get there in a few weeks.
The 101 Foundations Class still plans to begin in Mid-September, although we may need to move that class outdoors as well. Stay tuned.
In sum - we are seeking for all of our services and ministries to move forward as planned, with the slight modifications of extra precautions.
KEY MOTIVATIONS TO REMEMBER
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” The sense of this verse is not so much that we are to think of ourselves as lesser creatures, but rather that I am to consider the needs and desires of others as weightier than my own needs and desires. This is what Christ has done for each of us in his incarnation, humiliation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. We in turn, embodying the love of Christ, are to look at each other and ask, “What do you need from me? How can I submit my desires to your desires?” To be clear, this kind of mutual submission within the church is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. It takes guts and courage to lay aside your preferences and serve others.
So, if in re-engaging these Covid precautions you find yourself wondering, “Are we just giving into fear-mongering?” Let’s remember that we are not motivated by fear, but by humble love - which is far stronger.
KEY VIRTUES TO CULTIVATE
Courage: Times like these make some people feel very anxious, like you’re living under a shadow of dread. We must pray for and cultivate courage - remembering that bravery is not the absence of fear, but perseverance in the face of fear.
Grit: As much as I like the word perseverance, I like grit even better. We must pray for and cultivate the right sort of stubbornness. We must remember that we have an enemy that desires the death of our souls more than the death of bodies. We must dig in our heels a bit and declare,”No! Come what may, I will not stop worshipping, I will not stop fellowshipping, I will not stop serving, I will not stop giving. I will not stop living.”
Patience: Some of you have been relatively unimpacted by the virus. You know things are bad “out there,” but this has primarily been a season of inconvenience, not grief. Others of you have had a very different experience. Either you’ve suffered from sickness yourself or you have a close friend or family member who has suffered or even died. Others of you serve in hospitals where you have witnessed suffering and death on a large scale. It is horrifying and hellish. It haunts you.
Friends, we must be patient with one another, knowing that we have not all shared the same experience. I cannot remember a time when the parish was more diverse in the life experiences of the members. This is a crucial season to bear with one another in love.
KEY TEMPTATIONS TO RESIST
Judgement: Over the past 18 months, we learned just how easy it is to be quick to judge and slow to listen. Let’s flip that around shall we? Let’s be quick to listen and slow to judge. I’ve found that, when I really listen to how and why people are making their decisions, I can almost always appreciate their perspective. I might not agree with the person, but I can at least empathize with their rationale. To be clear, this is not to say that everyone is right all the time. Certainly not! I’m speaking as someone who is frequently wrong! But rather than taking every opportunity to point out other people’s wrongness, let’s allow God to be the judge.
Complaining: This comes so naturally doesn’t it? No one ever has to be taught how to complain. However, natural as it is, complaining is corrosive. It not only wears away at other people, it erodes our own hearts. A complaining spirit will poison both the waters of our community and your own soul. Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without complaining.”
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Now, in balance with what I just said about complaining, I really would like the channels of communication in our parish to be wide open. If you are concerned, troubled, or bothered by anything you’ve read in this letter, you are always welcome to reach out to me so that we can talk about it. I would hate for someone to be struggling in isolation with the decisions the church leadership is making. We truly, truly desire to be faithful in following the Lord Jesus and, in order to do that well, we need to help each other out. None of us will get it right all the time by ourselves!
FOR FURTHER READING
A recent article I found helpful.
Redeemer family, I love you all. It appears that, though we thought the pandemic storm was passing, we were in the eye of the hurricane and there is more storm yet to come. Whatever the future holds, we will navigate it together - bound together by the loving sacrifice of Christ and empowered by the Spirit of the risen Christ.
See you on Sunday!
In the Father’s love,
