I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19
March 31, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
These words from the Prophet Isaiah remind me about the numerous ways that God is continually at work in our world and in our own lives. Indeed, these words are very fitting as we get ready to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. God is always making something new, and as our Christian faith teaches us, the light will always shine through the darkness.
As a community we are going through a “new thing” right now. This will be our first Easter together with me as your new incumbent. I am excited to see the “new things” that God is leading us towards and to see what we will discover.
By now, we are well aware of our changed reality as we navigate COVID-19 as a country and a global community. We are no longer able to gather together in many different settings, including for worship. While we feel this loss very much, I want to remind you that we are still very much a community, even though we cannot meet together in person. I will be reaching out to everyone via telephone and we will be posting weekly worship on Wednesdays and Sundays for as long as we are unable to meet. Likewise, for Holy Week, we will share adjusted services on-line and observe these Holy Days together, just in a different way. I thank you all for participating in this new way of worship as we adjust to our current new reality.
For now, let us continue to look for God’s light as we make our way through our Lenten Journey. Let us continue to pray and praise and be light to others wherever possible. This is a time for us to look at the new ways that we can be “church” to those in our world. Let us shine a light for others to see God in our midst.
We celebrate God doing a “new thing” by coming together to celebrate in community. I look forward to celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus with all of you here at St. Martin’s even though we will celebrate differently this year than in previous years. I look forward to the many ways in which we will continue to discern God’s leading of us as a community. May God Bless you as you journey towards Easter and may you be renewed and restored by our gracious God. Let us continue to pray for all those who are affected by COVID-19 in any way, shape or form, and let us continue to pray for our world.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Shelly Pollard