Dear friends,
What a month we have had! In early December, our new audio-visual system was installed, moving us into the next phase of a journey of transformation that began in March 2020. Immediately we recognized the potential to offer very high-quality live-stream worship for folks all over the nation and even all over the world. We also realized very quickly that this phase of the journey begins with a very steep learning curve! We are working to create new opportunities for interaction during the service. We are grateful for the incredibly hard work Rick and Nicola have put into learning and troubleshooting the new system, and we are grateful for the positive and thoughtful feedback of home worshippers.
I am still humming songs from our Bluegrass Christmas Sunday on the 18th. It was so uplifting to sing along with On the Fence, to belt out Christmas carols, to follow the star with the children, and to be together. A few days after that joyous Sunday, a member of our congregation tested positive for COVID-19. We were reminded that we are still living in a time of uncertainty. All the layers of protection we have put into place help keep us safe; even so, there is risk involved when we gather. The impact of the years of COVID-19 shut-down reminds us that there is a different kind of risk involved in our staying apart. It is a delicate, on-going balancing process—for us as a community and for each of us as individuals—as we figure out how to ameliorate risk and still do the things that matter most of us. I am grateful for the thoughtfulness and sensitivity of our congregation as we seek this balance.
As we move into January, I am excited for the second month of my sabbatical. On January 20, Fran and I will begin a slow drive down to Florida; along with way we will stop to visit with our families. Our ultimate destination is a new place for us: a cottage in Homasassa, Florida, north of Tampa in an area with lots of state parks and wildlife refuges. We are on a canal and have access to kayaks. We are near a 44-mile-long bike path!
In between biking and kayaking and bird-watching, I will spend time reflecting and writing about our Resilience in Community project. The 35 interviews Mike Ellis and Aliyah Collins conducted in 2021, with members of the church and Open Spirit, are filled with insight. In October, Danielle Rousseau and I offered a presentation at Day of Spirit, and I preached a sermon series drawing upon some of the interviews. During my sabbatical month, collaborating with Danielle, I hope to build on what we have already done, moving in the direction of a small book that invites personal reflection on resilience. There is so much wisdom and richness that emerged from within our church and Open Spirit communities; the world needs to hear it!
While I am gone, Karen Nell will lead the congregation in a focus on “First Followers” of Jesus. She has done fascinating research into some of the lesser-known and misunderstood early followers of Jesus. She will be joined by colleagues from our clergy group in leading worship and exploration on the theme.
Peace, Debbie