We have returned!
Sunday marked our return to in-person worship in our sanctuary. There were 29 persons in attendance. Understandably, our YouTube views were down from previous weeks. I thought the return went reasonably well, with everything going according to plan. Many thanks to the Executive Team and others who helped with all the details, before, during and after worship. Registration will not be necessary for future services. Again, use your own best judgment as to whether or not you should attend in-person worship.
Asymptomatic Spread Rare?
The WHO issued a report that asymptomatic spread of the coronavirus was rare. WHO walked that statement back, encouraging all to continue to take this virus very seriously, and that nothing has changed with regard to the advisability of wearing face coverings when out in public. You can read more about this here.
Justice/Peace Initiative in Bellevue
Several weeks ago I received an email from JB Hecock, lead pastor at Bellevue Alliance Church (BAC). The email was an invitation to participate in a peaceful public event during which Bellevue Christians could gather to stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters. Here is how JB put it in his email:
I'm writing to give an opportunity to stand together as a unified body of Christ here in Bellevue. There are several African American pastors in our denomination here in our region (primarily around Cleveland, but also Sandusky, Akron, Canton). They are tired, exhausted- understandably so-and also are imploring all of us white pastors, to stand up with them. They are asking that all of us organize a peaceful event at 3 p.m. on June 19th, otherwise known in the black community as Juneteenth or Freedom Day, when the Emancipation Proclamation finally took effect in all the states in the union (2.5 years after it was signed into law).
JB has been out of town and has turned over the planning to his spouse (assumption), Iris, who is also the office manager at BAC. I received updated info from Iris today with details of this event, which you can view and read here. At the end of this doc is a one paragraph summary of the event:
Agenda of Event: Is that we as believers will be silent no more. That we stand with those who serve, those that are hurting, angry, fearful, etc. We stand to have a voice for justice and peace. Prayerfully seeking God in what our part is in all this, whether to pray, speak out, or stand along our brothers and sisters in Christ believing God will heal this land.
Our Bellevue event will be held at Central Park between 3 and 4 pm, and will include prayer, speakers, lament, silence, and worship/praise. This is a regional event that has been organized by churches in the area coming together under the banner Justice Peace Initiative. You can find complete information on the initiative website here. St. John's Bellevue is listed as a participating congregation only because I told Iris that I would attend, and that was today (Friday). I would welcome anyone else from St. John's to join me next Friday at 3 pm in Central Park (social distancing precautions observed).
Thanks Paul for the peonies!
Paul cut a bouquet of peonies to celebrate our return to the church building for worship. Very beautiful, Paul! Thanks!
Organ pipes arrive
New/replacement organ pipes arrived, and Paul was on hand to help with the heavy haul into the building and up to the balcony. I'm not sure of the exact schedule, but Paul will accompany the two techs from our organ maintenance company to install and tune the pipes.
Why have I never heard of this before?
With various media outlets providing more information about the tragic history of institutional and government sponsored racism in our country, I'm learning more than I want to know. I want to close my eyes (remember that song "Doctor, my eyes..." by Jackson Browne?) and not believe it. Why have I never heard of this before - the systematic demolition of a thriving black business community in Tulsa 99 years ago? If you're interested, you can learn more about it here.
Zoom meetings
I had two Zoom meetings this week -- no meeting with the Bishop on Tuesday, that meeting is now twice a month. I did, however, meet with synod interim and transitional pastors, in fact led that meeting because Deacon Sherry from the synod staff was unavailable. Our meeting mostly reported on returns to in-person worship, parking lot worship, or plans to return to in-person worship later in June or even July.
Wednesday Night Live!
Guessing you know what happened with Wednesday Night Live Zoom meeting because of the email that went out. We'll try again next week, and continue our look at the ELCA Social Statement "Race, Ethnicity and Culture."
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