Dear Friends,

Everything is slowly changing, which is normally a scary and uncertain process, but these changes are welcomed and move us towards the familiar. As the spread of COVID continues to slow down, and as the CDC continues to ease restrictions and mandates, we see the movement towards the church we knew before the pandemic.

Easter morning was a true blessing in this regard. The social distancing markers were gone, the screens blocking out the choir loft were gone, the pews were filled with joy-filled faces, and the sanctuary was the most alive it has been in two years. We no longer have any restrictions in our Sunday worship service and all signs point to Church Council easing our other restrictions during their meeting this month.

What does this mean for us? This means that we can look to the future with great hope and expectation. We can begin planning for the return of the choirs, we can plan for Sunday school and Vacation Bible Schoo;, we can plan for the return of fellowship time in the social hall (once the basement project is finished), and we can plan for our 100th anniversary celebration.

In the midst of this, we should continue to carry with us a tone of caution and compassion as we move forward. I pray that we will live without judgment towards those who still choose to wear a mask and practice social distancing. I pray that we will choose to stay home and worship online when we are not feeling well. And I pray that we will see the needs of the community above our own needs. In this, we will be a stronger church than we were prior to the pandemic.

I share all this with excitement for the coming months and all the ways that God is continuing to move in and through us as a church family.

Blessings to you all, Pastor Stacy.