Lighter Days Ahead

Hi friends and members of Resurrection,

I hope your heart is beginning to feel lighter as the dark days of the Covid-19 pandemic are coming toward a close.

It has been a long while since we have been able to gather in person without worrying that we could either spread or receive a disease with the potential to kill each other.  How difficult it has been to feel this kind of danger, even among those we love.  How much more natural it feels to be able to hold those we love in our arms, and smile and laugh without fear.

At Resurrection, it has been a beautiful thing to be able to gather again in person for worship.  We are still being careful of germs: we have hand sanitizer, an air purifier, social distancing and individual fellowship cups for communion.  Even so, to see one another in the same space, to sing and pray together, to visit one another after the service—these are amazing blessings!  I hope I never take such things for granted again.

As we re-envision our life together going forward, I am asking that each one of you participate in a small reflection group in the multipurpose room at church.  Each group will consist of 6-8 people and will focus its conversation around the two questions:  What have we lost during this pandemic?  What have we learned that we want to remember going forward?

There is an on-line sign-up sheet for these reflection groups on our webpage.  Please sign-up for a time that works for you.  The group will meet for 90 minutes.  Here is the link to that document, Small Group Reflection Sign-up.  Your input is really appreciated!

More informally, our Wednesday night parking lot socials will be resuming for the summer.  Join in beginning at 6:00 p.m.--bring a chair and food or drink, if you choose, and talk with one another about your life and our life together and our hopes moving forward.  Feel free to invite any friends or neighbors to join you!

Our Bible study group which has met on zoom all year will be taking a break for the summer.  I would love to hear from any of you interested in participating in a Bible study next fall as to what format you would prefer.  We have learned that we have options!  Would you want to meet in person at church either in the morning or evening?  Or via zoom either morning or evening?  Let me know!  Your input will help determine our fall schedule!

Our outreach ministry also continues this summer with our participation in the ministries of Divine Intervention Homeless Ministries.  We will periodically be preparing bag meals to share with those who live under the bridges of our city, as well as volunteering with the Arts and Science Literacy Camp that meets on the campus of Tippeecanoe Presbyterian Church.  Watch for announcements concerning these opportunities!

You have done a beautiful job staying connected to each other via phone/emails/texts/meals.  I encourage you to keep doing these things!  Love is able to be known and received when it is offered in such concrete ways.  Thank you.

Thank you Resurrection Lutheran community for your hope-filled generosity this past year.  I am in awe of the many ways ministry has happened in and through us!  Praise God!

I look forward to seeing and hearing from all of you in worship and in small reflection groups.

With love and gratitude,
Pastor Mary