Second Sunday of Easter – April 11, 2021
Dear All,
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Just a friendly reminder that Easter is 50 days long. Try to keep that Easter spirit alive for six more weeks. Remember, Jesus is on the loose! Even though we must continue to worship via our computer or tablet screens, Jesus remains busy.
Today we give thanks for our guest preacher, Tim Flynn. Welcome Tim! God willing, Tim will be ordained to the presbyterate (priesthood) in June. Can’t wait to have him celebrate at St. Paul’s altar.
Perhaps you are as tired as I am of hearing from our leadership, “Just a few more weeks. Hang in there. By summer . . .” It’s not that I don’t believe or trust these folks as I know they are doing their very best with the information they have to keep us safe. But gosh . . . how long, O Lord, how long?
Yet, I find myself echoing their sage advice: wear your masks, wash your hands, stay away from each other until you and everyone around you has had their vaccinations. I know there are some reluctant to get these shots. I get it. But I also know that for us to have a chance to return to hugging and shaking hands and patting folks on the back, we need our shots! If any of you need assistance navigating the system to get an appointment, let me know.
Thinking ahead and how this pandemic has changed us, the larger church, and our ministries, we are recruiting those with special talents or passions in a couple of areas. Our new Digital Space Task Force – will gather specifically to discern how we will continue our digital footprint on social media, website, etc. How best to share our beliefs and mission, our image and identity digitally; what sort of volunteers or do we need to hire staff that will continue the recording and editing of services and other projects yet to be imagined? This will be a fun and creative group whose goal is to make recommendations to Vestry for future ministry.
The second new group will be our Social Justice and Advocacy Ministry. The genesis of this group rose from our book studies of “White Fragility”, “Plantation Jesus”, and last year’s BLM movement. Sitting directly across the street from the Capitol; understanding the need for significantly more work in anti-racism and associated issues; we will continue our educational efforts in the historical role of the church in racism and how to be responsive to the needs of today and the future.
If you are interested in joining either of these ministries, shoot me an email. They will both be exciting and have a significant impact on our future. Don’t forget our upcoming Confirmation prep 4-week series. Even if you aren’t interested in being confirmed – how about re-affirming your baptismal vows? That’s a good thing to do every once in a while. Or how about just joining us those Tuesday evenings – you might learn something you didn’t know about the Episcopal Church.
Please be good to yourselves; say your prayers for each other and the world; and stay well!
Blessings,
Karen+