A Letter from Lindy May 17
Pilgrims,
I have been in a lot of meetings this week about how Communities of Faith might safely open for on campus, in person worship . As I have shared in this space the past few weeks, the leadership of Pilgrim has been reflecting on this question for some time. For everyone who took the time to respond to my query about how you've experienced our life together to date, THANK YOU!!! We are grateful for the care and thought you put into your responses.
We know already to re-frame our thinking from "returning to normal" to imagining the new innovative ways in which we can be beloved community. We also know virtual worship pales in comparison to our gathering together as the body of Christ.
Add to this tension, the news of protests and lawsuits demanding that churches be allowed to gather inside, in person, in contrast to the advice of medical experts; state and local leaders, that to do so could cause irreparable harm--it seems that we still need conversation to flush out best practices.
I don't believe our decision is complicated if we look to the guidelines presented by the CDC, other mainline denominations, and medical experts. Let's consider some of their recommendations of what we must do to protect God's people.
People should not gather indoors for worship unless all can strictly adhere to the 6' physical distance from each other, which would require restricting pews and placing markers for seating.
We would need to host multiple services to accommodate our membership #s.
We should be masked--worship leaders and parishioners.
We should refrain from passing the peace; passing the offertory trays; prayer cards; sharing communion.
No choir, no congregational singing.
We should not gather for fellowship.
We should refrain from using the restrooms.
No nursery care.
As one of my colleagues remarked yesterday, "If we have to go to such lengths to protect our people, why are we even contemplating gathering in person." If we pastors are to shepherd our people, we need to create and practice the safest way to gather as a flock. God, from the read of scripture, will always, always show up with/for/among God's people.
So for now, this means continuing our journey together virtually. How long? As I heard said at the mayor's religious round table, "we will follow the data, not the date."
I believe these guidelines are a tool before us to practice caring for all of God's people, as we are called to do. Loving our neighbor as ourselves demands that we put others' needs alongside our own. I cannot imagine a better way to practice Christ-like love, agape, in this moment, than to stay virtual. My prayer is that we are willing to sacrifice our true need for human physical connectivity, so as to help our neighbor, our most vulnerable, our community and our world abate this pandemic.
Please join our fellowship time on Sunday so that you can add your voice to this ongoing conversation. No one of us has the "right" answer. As one doctor remarked, "this process will have a lot of trial and error. With every step, we will learn, and we will also make mistakes. Probably lots of them. Because this pandemic is nothing we have ever experienced in our lifetime. So now is the lime to lead with grace and forgiveness, in all that we do.
As you will read in the coming weeks, we are planning for opportunities to gather as community outside, at safe distance, so we can "see" each other in the flesh. But we will take it slow, listening to the experts along the way who will shine God's light on the path before us. I can't wait to hear the creative ideas you will bring to the table.
See you Sunday. Grace and peace.
Pastor Lindy