Musings ~ Pacing

For the past several weeks, many if not most people, have been living within the respective four walls of their homes, some more reluctantly than others. Politics aside, it has been a difficult thing for many to deal with for any number of reasons not the least of which is the anxiety created by the looming spectre of a pandemic. This week, there are some businesses that will be opening again at limited capacity – restaurants, movie theaters, social clubs as well as other retail outlets. I have mixed feelings about this considering that we continue to have an on average increase of between one and two hundred cases per day, now closing in on six thousand cases across the state. And the truth is, at some point things will get back to a normal though what that looks like can only be a matter of speculation.

When it does get back to normal, there is one thing I hope to keep from the time under the stay at home mandate: the pace of life. At the moment, I drive Heather to and from work. There is little traffic, and fewer people out and about. I help Donovan and Avery with schoolwork. I spend more quality time with family, walking every evening, playing games, talking together more. I take better care of myself, eating better and exercising more. I have had the chance to hit a reset button for some things in my life that were cluttered or damaging. I have had the chance to take stock of some things and reprioritize.

And I see no reason to change or go back on these things.

One thing that you will find in throughout our sacred writings is the need to maintain balance. A brief glance at the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5 shows us a list that would create a balanced person with a balanced way of life. The Sermon on the Mount is a blueprint for a life lived well internally and externally and even the greatest commandment is the balance of loving God and neighbor which can only happen when we love (not idolize) ourselves in the right way. In the story of the Exodus, Moses father-in-law comes to him and asks him to appoint judges over the people by tribe and group so that Moses can balance the spiritual tasks of the prophet with the administrative tasks of a leader. Even God rested on the seventh day, an example from the highest authority on balance.

Just don’t rush.

Whether it’s getting back into the swing of things post-pandemic or just getting things done, do it with a sense of balance. Be patient for things to happen. Be peaceful while you wait. Lean into the voice of the Spirit for direction before rushing headlong into whatever. Lean into the presence of God.

Pastor Michael

Our suspension of church Worship Services and gatherings has been extended:

After consultation with The Cabinet, and in compliance with the most recent information shared by public health officials, Bishop Holston recommends that we continue to suspend in person worship services, and all gatherings, meetings, and events through May 20 . Our church leaders have discussed this recommendation and are in agreement that we have to continue to suspend church activities and gatherings for now. We look forward to the day when we gather TOGETHER to worship and carry out the hands on mission and outreach of Zion Church.

Join us each morning at 7:00 AM for Prayer and meditation. Join us, also on Thursdays at 12:00 Noon for Bible Study. Pastor Michael is hosting these LIVE from our Facebook page. If you are unable to log in LIVE, these offerings remain available for viewing after on our website

and FB page.

While the church office remains closed, you are encouraged to reach out if you have a need or know of a need. You may call Pastor Michael at 1-859-475-8800, call the church office, 285-3864 and leave a message, call Missy at 804-2434 or email [email protected] or [email protected]; these emails are being monitored daily. The answering machine will also be checked daily. During these troubling and unprecedented times, we ask everyone to pray together for each other, our church family, our community, our country, and our world. May God be with us all.

Thank you to Sonny and Marion Curtis, Jimmy Neal, and Rock Love who have all joined together to take care of the church lawn and the parsonage lawn. Their love and devotion to our church is quite apparent and very much appreciated.

April is our month to support HOPE in Lancaster with donations of food for those less fortunate.  Particular needs are grits, cereal, spaghetti sauce, canned beef stew, and canned chicken. Even though we are not having church services, if you would like to drop off donations, arrangements can be made to accept your donations and your willingness to help those less fortunate is greatly appreciated!! Please place your donations in the collection box in the vestibule or if you are unable to access the building, you may drop donations off at the double doors under the covered porch where the buses are. They will be collected daily from that location as well.

Our United Methodist Men's third Sunday meeting and our weekly Saturday Bible Study meetings have been suspended until the stay at home order has been lifted and we are told that we can begin to gather again.

To all church members: please understand that we are unable to allow folks to meet inside the buildings at this time. If you had a reservation for personal use inside of one of the buildings over the next few weeks, we are unable to honor those reservations at this time and will announce when we will be again be able to honor reservations. As it is, gatherings inside our facilities is not possible.

The members of Zion ARE CONTINUING

to support the ministry and outreach

of the church!!!

Let me just say, the folks of Zion are FAITHFUL!!!! Thank you to each one of you who have adjusted to this change in our lives and have continued to support the ministry and outreach of Zion UMC and for your continued presence at online worship!!! Each ONE of you ARE the CHURCH! You can continue to give online through the website, www.zionumc.com by clicking on the donate tab. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this option, simply click on the donate button and follow the prompts, you can text your giving to 803-525-1834 and follow the secure link, or you may give by mailing your tithes to the church at 1665 Zion Road, Lancaster, SC, 29720. Pastor Michael is also available on Sunday afternoons at the church from 2:00-3:00 PM to accept your donations and have a word of prayer with you! If you have misgivings about online donations or mailing your donations, a locking mailbox has been installed under the covered carport where the buses are. You may place your contributions in the box and it will be checked daily.

Together we can move forward.

Together we can continue and make a difference!

TOGETHER, WE ARE the CHURCH!!

Special Gifts to the Building Fund

In Honor of:

Christian Griffin on is 13th birthday by Ryan and Miriam Griffin

In Memory of:

Ralph Craig with love by Mike and Diane Rape*****

Ralph Craig by Ken and Lib Preslar*****

***** Please note: These memorials were received on March 29. That was the first week that we changed our newsletter mailing format. For those who have email, you receive this electronic version of the newsletter however, those who do not use the internet receive a mailed newsletter. These two versions are being done to cut expenses while still keeping our members informed. The cost of the combined mailing and emailed versions are significantly less than we were paying to bulk mail our newsletters to 200 people. With that being said, I need to apologize to this family as I placed the memorial in the printed/mailed version however, omitted to add the memorial in the electronic version and I do apologize. Our thoughts and prayers remain with this family!! Much love to each one - Missy