Letter from Lindy May 2

Good Morning Pilgrims,
It is so hard to harness that anticipatory feeling that comes with the rise of temperatures, the elongation of daylight, the pull of outdoor blossoms and blooms. The challenge is not to rush too quickly past the gifts of the present for the hope of the future. And in this moment, with the ever increasing number of vaccinated adults, we so want to shut the door on the pandemic, even as it lingers with us here today. Finding a balance in stepping forward with attention and care is our goal--on so many levels. And I am mindful that balance will look and feel different for each of us.

My youngest brother was here this week to be with my mom for which I am grateful for his purpose and presence. He has not been to Durham since last September, and the only justification for that visit was to be physically present to hold my sister, and her family, as they grieved the death of my nephew. To be here with and for the sole purpose of my mom, we came to calculate, has been since November of 2019. With them both vaccinated, and the allowance of (one) family member to visit my mom’s community at a time, his visit felt safe, even with restriction. Like so many of you with your loved ones, for my other siblings, the gap has been even longer. No wonder we want to rush quickly into the future unencumbered from pandemic’s protocols. With what feels like confusion around the CDC guidance coupled with the relaxing of state restrictions, there is a lot of grey area to negotiate. What feels right? What feels safe? What protects the most vulnerable? Those are questions that do not yet have clear answers.

Those are the questions we are holding as we plan our first hybrid (in person and virtual) outdoor worship service for Pentecost, Sunday, May 23. With our outdoor gathering capacity increased to 30, we are imagining hosting an in person setting with 30 family units on Pilgrim’s campus, while also livestreaming the service for those who still feel more comfortable worshiping at home. A sign up sheet will be available with next week’s newsletter. The board of Deacons and the worship team are trying to create guidance for as much as possible, and I’m sure we will not have anticipated everything. But this moment requires us to hold those questions and apply them to worship’s movements. To then learn from our first steps and make adjustments. To offer grace and understanding. And to try again. We are, and will always be, a work in progress. Perhaps a good motto for life’s journey.

I will use this newsletter in the coming two weeks to share with you the protocols (and adjustments to worship) you can expect so as to be prepared for what might look and feel different. After a year + of looking and feeling different, we might think we have become nimble and flexible, and will just adapt. But experience tells me that when we come together after such a long absence, we will instinctively use our memory muscle for what was. And my hope is we will find a balance therein. I know we can.

grace and peace,
Pastor Lindy