I miss you! A lot. Every day. I pray for you, love hearing from you, and count it one of life’s greatest privileges to participate in this vibrant, strong, and generous congregation. I can’t help but commend you for your resilience and commitment during this pandemic. Nearly every time I turn around, you are making sandwiches for the hungry, writing notes to the lonely, reaching out to someone in need, writing a check, or finding some other path to significance and service. It’s deeply encouraging.

Our process of adapting to a ‘new normal’ continues and let me underline that it is a process. Elders and staff continue to do our best to provide meaningful opportunities for community, service and spiritual growth during this time when we cannot gather in-person. Meanwhile, we are trying to strike just the right balance between making plans for the future while knowing those plans may need to be re-configured.

At present, the Re-Opening Task Force has set no date to return to in-person worship, Sunday School, or other large group activities. However, we have carefully opened the Sanctuary for personal prayer and hosted outdoor on-campus activities such as exercise, youth group, and study groups. Watch our various publications for details in the coming weeks and in the meantime, please pray for wisdom, vision, and patience.

Let me close with just a bit of reflection: I’ve always known – and have now seen – how the church of Jesus Christ is neither location nor circumstance dependent. When Rome persecuted early Christians, house churches sprung up across the empire and sustained followers of Christ. When Mao Tse Tung outlawed the church in China, again the church went underground and met in homes, basements, and porches – often at night or on odd days – where they drew little attention. When Hitler tried to co-opt the German church, faithful disciples worshiped, worked, and resisted out of sight. In fact, some historians argue that the Christian church comes more fully to life when faced with obstacles and challenges.

Thanks to you, I’ve seen glimpses of this new life recently, and it anchors my soul in hope. I’m convinced that if we ground ourselves in prayer, make wise and faithful choices, and move forward in trust, we will come out of this challenging time in history far richer. I look forward to traveling the journey with you.

Warmly,
 
Bob

Stephen Ministers are friends for the journey: Connect with trained, listening friends who can bring the caring presence of the church to those experiencing difficult life situations, large or small. Click here if you or someone you know might like to be paired with a Stephen Minister on a confidential basis.

Caregivers Support Group: Connect with peers and learn helpful ways to take care of yourself as you care for a loved one -- whether at home, in a care facility or long distance. Susan Ferone, MSW, a Covenant member and care coordinator with Caregiving Corner, leads the group via Zoom at 11 a.m. on second Thursdays of every month. The fall session kicks off Sept. 10 and includes a book study on Courage for Caregivers by Henri Nouwen. Contact Susan or reach her at 704-737-2487.

New group for those who have lost a spouse: It's one of the most life-changing events that humans can experience. Whether we find ourselves hours, days, months, or years later, the need for support is often strong and dynamically changing. A group called SOS -- Surviving Our Spouses --  brings together those who are walking a similar path. Click here to learn more.

Support for those in grief: We are gauging interest in a grief support group that would meet via Zoom. Please contact Katherine if you're interested.