As your pastor, it is my formal recommendation not to fall ill with Covid and the flu back-to-back (ask me how I know)! This year has had a bumpy start. Thankfully, one of the skills we’ve collectively honed during the pandemic is how to keep going no matter how things started or the bumps along the way.


One of the difficult parts about the pandemic for faith communities is that for most churches, day to day survival and operation meant shifting leadership responsibilities to a smaller group of people. This upended the practice and familiar rhythm of ‘many hands making for transformational work’. For many churches, this meant that staff and a core group of volunteers held communities together while everyone else did their part by holding their own lives together. Both so important, neither an easy feat!


As a result, churches of all sizes are now in a long journey to shift back. Not to the same volunteer spots that we used to fill 10 years ago, but to the level of congregational participation needed to do this group project together.


This is why the question from the last Word with the Pastor is so relevant for our time: where are you called to serve in our church this year?


The thriving of First Church is not on the shoulders of the senior pastor or clergy alone, but shared by each one of us- and we cannot forget that Christ is the one who shares the load with all of us. Sharing our work like this is like singing in a choir: to sustain a long note, each member takes a breath at different times so that the music can continue, and no one faints!


For some, this is a season for taking a breath. For others, it is a season to add their strong voice to the chorus. I myself will be taking a breath this Lent and will be away February 19 to March 3. This kind of breath-taking is possible because there are so many in our community who lead with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Thank you!


We find ourselves sharing this responsibility in an exciting and pivotal time in the life of our church: we’ve got some growing to do. Growing in spirit. Growing in vision. Growing in connection. Growing in inclusivity. And yes, maybe even growing in number.


It is thrilling to part of something that is growing. After such a hard and trying season, we can grow because you have said, “yes, church,” and through your participation you are a witness who allows others to also say, “yes, church.”


Our question for this week: How will you help our shared community grow?
I can’t wait to hear what you have to share.


peace,
Pastor Karyn