Thoughts from the Council President

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March 8, 2020 was a Sunday, and the last “normal” Sunday for us at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. A lot has happened since then, and yet we are not back to “normal,” and it’s very likely that our sense of “normal” will change. Even though we long to have life the way it was on March 8, 2020, we cannot count on that happening as we would like. The crisis of the COVID pandemic has altered so many aspects of “normal.” Because we have an older, more fragile congregation, safety and protection of our people has been a huge priority. The pastors and leadership of Emmanuel have worked hard to continue to proclaim the Gospel, provide worship opportunities, and protect the health and safety of our members and our community. Everyone has had to make changes in their lifestyle and sacrifices, and at Emmanuel we have had to do the same. Above all, we have strived to protect the health and safety of our people and our community. For the past 18 months we have sacrificed our “normal” worship and activities; and if we have to linger at “getting back to normal,” so be it, if it means the health and safety of our membership and community. We do it out of love.

Despite the changes, numerous challenges and restrictions, the Gospel has been proclaimed at Emmanuel every week, first via YouTube and back to in-person worship as soon as our established criteria were met (while continuing to broadcast our services on YouTube). The Council, ministry teams, the Church in a Changing World task force and staff have worked tirelessly to continue worship and service activities. Council members made phone calls to the membership and met monthly via Zoom, and now in person, and worked through staff, ministry teams and the task force to provide ongoing worship and activities, as safety guidelines allowed. The safety of the congregation and our community were our highest priorities.

We know, however, how much we long to be “back to normal,” but in reality there will be a new normal. It is so important to continue to be safe, as this virus is still not under control. We all feel disconnected and a bit adrift. I encourage you to think of new ways to safely connect with everyone you miss—call a fellow member, to make that connection—have a conversation, meet for a walk or other safe activity, as your own health situations allow, ask if you can do anything for them. We need to keep our connections with each other. I would love to hear about your creative ideas and suggestions!

Pastor Tricia and Pastor Adam have worked tirelessly to keep our connections alive and spread the Gospel among us. Have you thanked them lately? They have provided worship services either in person or online (or both!) every Sunday. They wrote daily newsletters for months, they provided daily shepherding of the leadership, always encouraging, always coming up with new and creative ideas. That’s hard work! The ministry teams and task force members have worked tirelessly to keep worship and service to the community happening as safely as possible. They all deserve our deepest thanks!

Hang in there everyone! We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we know that our loving God will guide us into the unknown future.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 38-39

And I would add, “nor pandemic.”

Yours in Christ,

Julie Pavri

Council President

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley, AZ