I Praise You For What is Yet to Be
There was a poem I wanted to share in the announcements this week, but it was too long for the limited space remaining. Written by Ted Loder in his book Guerrilas of Grace, it is entitled "I Praise You For What is Yet to Be." The title alone should give us pause. I wholeheartedly believe it in reference to our current situation. I give thanks to God even for the future we can't yet see because I DO know that God is always good and trustworthy. The final stanza of the poem/prayer says this:
“I praise you
that you turn me loose
to go with you to the edge of now and maybe
to welcome the new
to see my possibilities
to accept my limits
and yet begin living to the limit
of passion and compassion
until, released by joy
I uncurl to other people
and to your kingdom coming
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.”
According to the guidelines of the state and diocese, our wider denomination is beginning to discuss what a return to our buildings might look like later in 2020. The Vestry and I have appointed a Reopening Advisory Committee to make a plan tailored to Epiphany. The group will consist of the Wardens, Dr. Pam Harrop (an internal medicine specialist) and Linda Mendonca, RN (with many years experience in public health and school nursing). Reopening will be phased in compliance with state guidelines which means groups of up to 50 people will not be able to gather until the third phase, which looks to be well into the summer months. Even then there will be physical distancing restrictions that will impact everything from where you sit to if we receive Eucharist to singing to having coffee hour to how the offering is collected and many other details. There will be no easy, quick return to "normal." In fact, there is no going back to what we have known. God is unfolding a new future in front of us. The road may be bumpy as we get there so we'll need plenty of grace with each other, but what a tremendous opportunity for us to join together for the sometimes challenging journey and shape religious life to meet the needs of a 21st century world. With the energy of the Holy Spirit, we can build a new expression of our ancient faith and tradition. That means flexible worship, adding virtual platforms for connection and prayer, a focus less on "Episcopal" identity and more on the core values of the Gospel for which all people hunger — to love and be loved, to belong, to know hope, to serve, to be healed, to pray in word and silence; to do justice, speak truth, make meaning, behold the wonder of creation, be lifted by beauty, grasp an enduring faith and yes, even celebrate joy.
Our virtual worship is already reaching many more people online than Sunday morning ever has before. Some viewers live nearby, but many live far away. Some would always hope to get to church, but life usually got in the way on Sunday morning and now they can worship again. All of the systems of our society - political, cultural, educational, retail, social and more are undergoing this same reimagining right now. We are not alone. It is the necessary work God is calling us to in every aspect of our world. I believe it will move us toward a more just, compassionate and spiritually grounded way of living in the long view. Let us not be afraid of that journey, for the Lord says to Israel in a time of great loss and trial,
"Do not consider the former things, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert — and the people I have formed shall praise my name." (Isaiah 43)
I know we all long to see one another and long for the familiar. I do very much too. I know the timeline will be longer than we had thought or hoped at the outset. Remember that all we are doing now is for the love of our neighbor, for their health and well-being. There is little work more holy than that calling. This will be a process of shifting gears, of lots of conversation, lots of prayer and listening and lots of openness to creativity. We are going to, if not already arrived at, "the edge of now and maybe" and that is exactly where we meet the Risen Christ. All will be well for God "is gracious beyond all telling of it."
"See" you Sunday!
Ever yours in Christ, Rev'd Jen
