Hope in Easter Season
Hope in Easter Season
Dear Friends,
I'm going to work from the assumption that the last month has been very difficult for you and your family. Because of a virus that has taken aim at all corners of the globe, we've been slowly but surely ushered into an era of increased distance from our friends and family. We're in the middle of a shocking economic downturn that is making us all fearful about what comes next. And, we don't really have a clear end in sight, though we all know that the world will return to normal one day.
So, yes, I think I'm safe in working from my assumption.
It has easily been the hardest month I can remember as a priest. I haven't been able to sit beside people who are hurting. I've had plenty of phone calls and Zoom conversations with parishioners. But I think we all know that it's not the same. And yet, if I'm honest, I'll tell you that something about the timing of all this was helpful.
Lent is built in as a season for facing the darkness in us and around us. We're meant to give things up, to live more simply. Holy Week was hard because we weren't able to walk through the familiar liturgies together, of course, but something about the limits that had been placed made the story more intimate, closer to me. Easter Day was hard (and that was before the storms hit), but the light of resurrection was more needed than ever.
Something about the shape of our liturgical life helped to make some sense of the things going on around us.
And it's all left me asking, "What now?" Can we continue the energy we've felt in our community despite our physical distance after Lent, after Holy Week, and after Easter Day? I don't exactly know the answer to that question. But Easter is a season of hope, so I can tell you my hope.
We will continue to offer worship. Our worship has been simple during this time of social distancing. But I have found it to be meaningful. It is has been beautiful to hear so many voices reading scripture, chanting, and singing. The service of Morning Prayer is beautiful, and, if nothing else, I hope you've found the introduction or reintroduction to it to be a good one. My plan is to continue to offer simple, faithful worship each week.
We will continue to grow in community. Digital Coffee Hour has been a great time each week, and I'm hoping to enhance it during the coming weeks with more guided discussions. Our phone tree system still seems to be working well, but if you need to get in touch with the church, please email us. It's the best way to reach us right now!
We will continue to reach out in service. Your generosity has empowered us to do more outreach to our community than is typical. I hope that, if you are able, you will continue to be generous. For those who have needs, please let us know what they are so we can respond to them well.
Finally, we will continue to learn what formation means at this time. Our Wednesday Bible study continues to be strong. Beginning this week, we will add a Thursday night Bible study. It will meet at https://zoom.us/j/507721515 and will cover the Easter gospel readings from the previous Sunday. Zoom is a fun way to learn, so I hope many of you will be there!
Please continue to stay in touch, and continue to hope. The God who raised Jesus from the dead is still at work in our world. Stay on the lookout for him.
God bless,
Fr. Quinn+