Perspective and Hope

Beloved:

As it happens, I’ve begun reading Erik Larson’s new book, The Splendid and the Vile, about the London blitz in the fall of 1940 when London and other parts of England were bombed continuously for months.  People who lost their houses lived crowded together in underground shelters without electricity or plumbing – continuously for months.  They endured all manner of shortages and hardship – continuously for months.  They fully expected to be invaded by a ground army more powerful than their own – continuously for months.  Suffice it to say, the book provides both some perspective and some hope.


Perspective, in that nothing I endure these days so far qualifies as hardship.  I have water, electricity and way too much internet.*  My wardrobe is best described as minimalist.  Except for my yard clogs a few times a day, I no longer wear shoes.  I shower and change from pajamas into clean pajamas once a day.  Three times a week I put on make-up and Zoom clothes then change back into my jammies.**  I have more than enough to eat as the kitchen works over-time and nobody eats out ever.  And the housekeeper is but a memory, so we all have plenty of extra chores to do as well.  We are not suffering.  This is not hardship.  At least not yet.


Hope is found in the reality that unlike a city bombed incessantly, we can protect ourselves and one another.  This virus is more persistent and more patient than any human army.  We will defeat it by being more persistent and patient still.  The most faithful and the most care-full we can be is to do the only thing the scientists know to tell us now:  stay home, stay separated from each other, wash our hands often and for twenty seconds at a time.


Staying home can feel like doing nothing, but it is everything that matters now.  In terms of faith, remember Jesus speaking to his disciples in John 15:  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this:  to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  The lives we lay down now are not these mortal bodies but the lives of busyness and everyday activity.  Jesus never promised what shape this obedience might take.  We probably didn’t imagine it would be homeschooling or pre-recorded worship services.  But here we are, invited to this obedience all the same.  I pray that whatever shape sequestering has taken for you today, you can find some joy therein.

~peace & prayers,
pastor annette

*  I now know way too much about America’s big cat community.
**  Zoom clothes are outfits that are professional from the waist up, pajamas from the waist down.

Two church projects you can help with this week:

1.  Make a 10-20 second video of yourself or your household waving palm branches and email it to Laura Beth at tlaurabethany@gmail.com no later than Thursday midnight.  Be creative regarding palm branches; anything green and wavy will do: scarves, construction paper branches, a branch from your yard, pom poms, etc.  We’ll cut it into the music for Sunday’s service.
2. Stonebelt Disability Services & Support - they take care of our brother Terry! - sent us a request for the following needs:

Stone Belt Arc Needs Your Help!

Looking for ways to help out your community while social distancing?
Visit http://ow.ly/qZnA50yQb0c

VIRTUAL BUDDIES
We are in need of volunteers who are willing to be Virtual Buddies. 
If you are interested in connecting with someone on video conference or via phone call, please contact:  Rev. Sarah McKenney at smckenney@stonebelt.org.

OTHER NEEDS
Stone Belt needs gift cards to grocery stores, healthy snacks, hygienic supplies, 
board games, DVDs (movies & television), craft supplies, video game consoles, etc. 


And we have a handy drop-off box located near the entrance at 
Stone Belt, 2815 E Tenth Street in Bloomington. 


You can also have things mailed.  And there is a donation button on the link above.
Donate & become part of the Stone Belt Buddies Brigade today!