March 26, 2020

A Note from Pastor Bill:

Dear Friends:
Pastor John and I hope you are all staying safe and well. These are challenging times, but we will forge ahead one day at a time and support one another in prayer and any other ways possible. I miss you!

PLEASE phone someone if you need anything. My number is 952-738-1783 and my email is billchad52@gmail.com.

Thanks to Pastor John for posting a brief worship service for last Sunday. It was very helpful. I love the harmonica (but decided against brushing off my old clarinet. You’re welcome.) John will do the same sort of Facebook/website presentation for this Sunday and then I will do so for Palm Sunday, April 5. We don’t know yet what the protocols will be for Maundy Thursday, April 9, or for Easter, April 12. Theologically, we celebrate Easter EVERY Sunday (that’s why Sundays aren’t included in the 40 days of Lent). Thus, on whichever Sunday we are allowed to worship together again for the first time, we will do a grand celebration of resurrection and new life.

There are many fine inspirational pieces out there right now. I share this one with you. Pandemic by San Francisco poet Lynn Ungar:

What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down

And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

Peace and grace and love to you all!

Pastor Bill