"Yes, these are tough times! We are tired of being home, and alone. We are having a hard time with this new ‘temporary’ reality, but I urge us to persevere. This too shall pass! Easter will come -- may not be when we ‘always’ have celebrated it, but it shall come! Let us keep that hope and keep moving forward -- doing all we can to continue to flatten the curve."
Dear Broadway community,
Beloveds, there is nothing I can say to you that you have not already heard, like -- remember to wash your hands, to not get out of your homes, to be careful, and to take care of yourselves. But we have heard that many times already. We know all of that intellectually and practically. I simply want to remind us that we are all in this together -- no one knows how to deal with it or process it! We are all learning by experiencing it. In the midst of all the uncertainty and anxiety, I invite us to a few things that are also important and might keep us busy in a different way:
While we can't leave home -- we can complete the census virtually! You should have received a letter from the Census in the mail. It is so vitally important that we all are counted. So, do it from home -- that way you can be sure to be counted and you will do your part to flatten the curve. You can do the Census online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 844.330.2020. And remember, ALL people need to be counted. An accurate 2020 Census count will help our community Social services to get us get the federal funding for schools, healthcare, and housing, that we deserve.
Support the Social Service agencies in our community -- the Lakeview Pantry and The Night Ministry to name a couple -- they can always use food donations and donations of hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, twin sized sheets, blankets and towels. They are accepting gift cards and donations too. Lastly, they need help with prepared meals. If you are able to prepare meals for Night Ministry, or have donations, please let me know so that we can plan a delivery, since regular deliveries to the church building (the temporary location for Night Ministry) is difficult with that building also closed.
Pray for one another! Beloved, even when we are unable to see each other, we can pray for each other. Let us pray for strength for this time of uncertainty and anxiety. Let us pray for the first responders, and the medical workers, the grocery store workers, and those delivering us our supplies, those running errands for us and those diligently continuing their research in search of a medicine that might help us with this virus.
Yes, these are tough times! We are tired of being home, and alone. We are having a hard time with this new ‘temporary’ reality, but I urge us to persevere. This too shall pass! Easter will come -- may not be when we ‘always’ have celebrated it, but it shall come! Let us keep that hope and keep moving forward -- doing all we can to continue to flatten the curve.
Beloveds, be sure that all around us stay safe and protected. May God be our guide as we commit to making changes in our lives that help us to fully live into our gospel calling and show us a way to live and love fully.
God bless you and I hope to see you at church. May God give all of us the strength we need for each day to do the work that we are called to do. And remember, I am always your partner in justice.
