Today’s FAITH5 bible verse, chosen weeks ago, seemed so fitting as I read it this morning. It is from Galatians chapter 6, verse 2,
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
In these days of suggested social distancing, we are indeed bearing one another’s burdens as Joy Reigns has made the decision to cancel all in-person activities on the property through at least March 29th. It is our moral obligation to care for the neighbor as we are following or exceeding recommendations coming from local, state and national authorities.
Sunday Worship
We are suspending in-person Sunday worship through at least March 29th. This week we will have a leader only/skeleton crew with members of the band and worship leaders only on the property. We are still working on final plans for streaming to everyone for digital worship on an appropriate platform. You will receive a link for Sunday 9:30 am worship in a separate email.
Tuesday Lenten Worship
We are cancelling Lenten meals and in-person midweek Lent worship through at least March 29th. We will be moving the Unpacking White Privilege conversations to Zoom. You will receive the weekly materials and a link in a separate email in the next few days.
Thrift Shop
For the safety of volunteers and shoppers, Joy Thrift will be closed at least until March 29th.
Church Meetings
All church meetings will move to virtual platforms until at least March 29th.
12 Step/Recovery Meetings
In close consultation with the recovery meetings that use our property, they are working on various plans that will involve meeting outside and/or moving to a digital platform. There was great success tonight with this outdoor option. Continuing to have these meetings as an option can truly be a matter of life and death for those in recovery.
Next week, we will be exploring options for creating new opportunities for community in these unusual times when we cannot be physically together. Here are just a few examples:
FAITH5 with PSY Video Gatherings
Thursday Evenings from 7-8 pm. Join PSY to check in with each other, read scripture, pray and build community.
Runner Ministry
If/when self-quarantines happen for households of Joy Reigns, Dee Thoren has agreed to help coordinate a team to drop off needed supplies to our families.
Food Insecurity Ministries
We are working collaboratively with Caring Cupboards, who is coordinating with the school district, to provide and deliver needed food to children during the 2-week school closing. More on this in the coming days.
Pastoral Care
Please contact PSY if you have health or mental wellness related pastoral care needs due to COVID-19.
The council is scheduled to meet for our regular monthly meeting on Monday. Our ongoing COVID-19 strategy will certainly be a large topic of conversation. We are in uncharted waters in the midst of great anxiety and fear. Yet we are called to be people of hope. And so I leave you with this prayer for now:
A Prayer for Those Affected by the Coronavirus
O God of compassion, giver of life and health, we pray your healing mercies upon all who are in any way affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Comfort and sustain those who have been stricken; relieve their pain, and restore to them your gifts of gladness and strength. Grant to all in authority the courage to make wise decisions that are essential for the common good, and strengthen them to lead institutions that care for those whom they serve. Watch over all first responders and those in the medical professions whose duty it is to care for the sick; guard them from all danger, and keep them safe in the knowledge that is through their sacrifice and service that the health of the whole community is promoted. Mercifully accept these our prayers, O God of all comfort, and our only help in time of need. Amen.
God's Peace,
PSY
P.S. Keep washing your hands with soap and water!
Pastor Sara Yotter
Joy Reigns Lutheran Church
41 Mayo Road, Edgewater, MD 21037
410-266-5691
www.joyreignslutheranchurch.org
LOVE joyfully. CONNECT deeply. SERVE generously.
