Beloved,
The middle of last week seems like eons ago. Everything is in flux and the healthcare situation in our country (as well as in our state and local communities) continues to evolve. And while I know that you are receiving numerous emails from every corner of life-from work, school, every organization or business that has ever gotten hold of your email address-I want to update you on how things currently stand at St. John's.
As of yesterday, Bishop Jennifer has suspended all in-person worship and events across the Diocese indefinitely. Her announcement followed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's March 17 request that in-person public worship, including Holy Week and Easter services, be suspended. Bishop Jennifer said:
"As public health guidelines about slowing the spread of COVID-19 have changed, it has become clear that we must strengthen the precautions we have in place. We all need to do our part to slow the spread of the disease so that our hospitals and medical systems do not become overwhelmed. Our Holy Week observances and Easter celebrations will need to be different this year out of love for the people in our communities who are depending on us to 'flatten the curve'."
This means, of course, that we will not be together in body for Communion, for the observance of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, or to celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday. It means that we will miss formation opportunities or just the chance to see one another and to share the peace of Christ. This is greatly disappointing to me, and I imagine to many of you as well.
Without doubt, this is a terribly anxious time; and it would be wrong for me to deny that I am anxious about what the future holds. And yet as Christians, this is an opportunity for us all to "put our money where our mouths are". This is an opportunity to put our trust in the God who loves us. This is an opportunity for us to let the world spin without our help as much as possible. Let God do God's part, and stay home. Give the medical professionals a fighting chance by slowing the transmission of the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
I have been dwelling lately on the following passage from the theologian Helmut Thielicke. He writes:
"He who is anxious and knows Christ may be assured that he is not alone in his anxiety, but that Christ, too, has gone through it. And this means a completely new attitude toward the future; no longer is the future a befogged landscape into which I peer anxiously because all kinds of obscure perils are brewing there for me. No, everything is changed: we do not know what is coming, but we know who is coming. And he who possesses the last hour no longer needs to fear the next minute."
Everything seems upside down right now, beloved. But while we may not know what is coming in the next few weeks and months, we know that Christ is coming to bring healing, forgiveness, mercy, and God's own peace to our world. Let us hold to that assurance as much as we can right now.
Please know that you are in my prayers. If at any point you want to talk or need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me by EMAIL or at 312.208.8791. Another email will be coming soon with details about worship and other opportunities to connect.
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ. I remain,
Your's in Christ,
Bradley Pace+