I watched a video about the future of our church with our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton yesterday. It was quite hopeful and inspiring. At the end, Bp. Elizabeth looked directly into the camera and said: “Thank you leaders of our congregations. Thank you for your service during your exhaustion – during this challenging time.”
I found myself tearing up a bit. Since I’ve joined you as your Interim Pastor, we’ve experienced an ongoing global pandemic, we’ve experienced a pandemic of racial inequity and divisive rhetoric in our country, we’ve had beloved members experience health problems, and we’ve buried some members. I know for certain that I would know more of you if we hadn’t been living with COVID!
It’s been challenging for all of us, to be sure. Our Leadership Team, and our staff have been working hard to serve all of us at Elim. They have been creative, and they have been tireless in their service. So have our worship producers, our food pantry volunteers, and the leaders of our Women’s and Men’s groups, as well as those who have picked up the phone or dropped off goodies to someone whom they haven’t seen in a while. Thank you to all of you who have done your part in serving Christ at Elim during this challenging time.
We’ve also celebrated a Baptism two weeks ago, and have another for twins coming up in a week. And yesterday I spoke with a family who want their three children to be baptized. At every Baptism, we promise to teach that child about God’s love.
We have work to do, church. May God continue to empower us to follow in the way of Jesus – the way of love, of justice and of healing in the world which is in desperate need – now more than ever.
See you in worship,
Pr. Kathryn
P.S. I’m preaching about demons this week. Don’t miss it!
I found myself tearing up a bit. Since I’ve joined you as your Interim Pastor, we’ve experienced an ongoing global pandemic, we’ve experienced a pandemic of racial inequity and divisive rhetoric in our country, we’ve had beloved members experience health problems, and we’ve buried some members. I know for certain that I would know more of you if we hadn’t been living with COVID!
It’s been challenging for all of us, to be sure. Our Leadership Team, and our staff have been working hard to serve all of us at Elim. They have been creative, and they have been tireless in their service. So have our worship producers, our food pantry volunteers, and the leaders of our Women’s and Men’s groups, as well as those who have picked up the phone or dropped off goodies to someone whom they haven’t seen in a while. Thank you to all of you who have done your part in serving Christ at Elim during this challenging time.
We’ve also celebrated a Baptism two weeks ago, and have another for twins coming up in a week. And yesterday I spoke with a family who want their three children to be baptized. At every Baptism, we promise to teach that child about God’s love.
We have work to do, church. May God continue to empower us to follow in the way of Jesus – the way of love, of justice and of healing in the world which is in desperate need – now more than ever.
See you in worship,
Pr. Kathryn
P.S. I’m preaching about demons this week. Don’t miss it!