August 13, 2020 Determination Letter

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Dear Kindred in Christ,

Things are looking a bit worse this week than last. One more county has moved into the Orange zone, and only one county has actually improved its situation (Yay, Steuben!). Please continue to pray for the courage and safety of all those who are forced into harm’s way by the necessity of their work and/or by economic hardship. Know that your steadfastness and your creativity in providing for the pastoral needs of your congregations are bright spots in my week and that I am always happy to work with you to find ways to turn your “crazy ideas” into a sustainable reality.

As Dr. Fauci said to the House of Bishops this past Monday, one of the most important things we can do as faith leaders in these days is to help our people avoid getting stuck in despair. It is natural to experience grief and even depression in times like these. It’s when we decide that things will never get better, however, that we cast aside sensible precautions and make things worse. The more you can encourage your faith communities to practice hopefulness, playfulness, and even a certain amount of childishness in addition to the ever-needful reverence and compassion, the stronger and more resilient you will equip them to be.  

Blessings,

Terri

The Rev. Canon Terri L. Bays, PhD.
Missioner for Transitions and Governance
Emergency Response NGO/Government Liaison

News from the Red Doors - August 7, 2020

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Dear St. Paul's Family,

For the last week I have checked the new COVID-19 cases daily, as reported by the state each day at 11am here.  I have watched the average number of cases continue to climb.  As you know, on Tuesday we made the decision to prerecord our Sunday morning worship service (since I will be out of town).  I'm thankful we made that decision as we slipped into the ORANGE category on this week's Diocesan Determination graphic (see above), thereby limiting our ability to have even 10 people for in-person worship.  

This is the first time I've "produced" worship in this manner, so please have patience with me.  I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how you enjoy it.  If we'd had a little more time and coordination we would have included singing for the hymn, although YOU are welcome to sing along!  I'm thankful to Fr. John, John Gouwens, and Sandra Provan for prerecording their pieces.  It takes each one of us!

As you know, I will be on vacation from today until next Friday.  We are traveling 3 hours into Michigan to visit my mother, who is hosting a small family graduation party for my daughter Elizabeth (whose high school graduation was July 19th).  We are then spending a few days in New Buffalo Michigan to have some family time before my high school junior, Abigail, returns to school on Thursday!  (We'll see if that really happens or not, and whether they return in-person or online.)  It's not quite a trip to Europe (which I love) but it is time away AND with my family (which I also love).  I appreciate your prayers for safe travels and COVID-19 FREE interactions!

On Thursday I will check the new determination letter and let you know whether we may have 10 people in attendance or live stream only for Sunday, August 16th.  Flexibility is key for all of us during this time. 

Please know that given the choice between Morning Prayer or Holy Eucharist on Sunday morning, I choose our Eucharistic tradition.  However, I also think it's important for the community to be present when we celebrate the Eucharist, even if only 10 people.  So my rule of thumb is this:  If 10 or so people can attend, we'll celebrate Eucharist otherwise we'll celebrate Morning Prayer.  They are both wonderful services that we can treasure in our tradition!

Dear friends, Fr. John's sermon on Sunday is right on topic as he shares his insights on the Matthean version of Peter's adventure walking on water.  I appreciated Fr. John's reminder about the mission of the church, global AND local, to have faith, take action, and leave the rest to God.  I trust you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Blessings!

Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 

August 9, 2020 Determination Letter

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My Dear Kindred in Christ,

It has been another rough week. Only a few of our counties have moved back down into Yellow-Falling. Almost all of our counties have either moved into the Orange zone or remained there. If your county is one where children are returning to in-person schooling, you can anticipate your numbers getting worse in the coming weeks. Pray for the safety of students, teachers and staff as they re-enter their buildings. 

In the midst of this, please remember that your patience and forbearance are preventing the people in your faith community from being punished with illness for the poor judgment being exercised by others in your area. We quite naturally focus on the number of deaths, but the long-lasting symptoms experienced by COVID survivors are also potentially devastating.

For those of you who have come up with both innovative and time-honored ways of meeting the spiritual needs of your people at this time—thank you. Thank you for your deep reflection on what it means to be faithful, what it means to show devotion to the body of Christ in times like these. May the fruitfulness of your endeavors be like zucchini in August!

And for those of you who are not feeling quite so creative, who are worn down by the inability to meet the desires of your faith community—hang in there. You are not alone in yearning for some sort of consolation. Consider the spiritual practices that have lifted you up in the past. May they refresh you like a bowl of ice cream at the end of a long, hot day!

Blessings,

Terri

The Rev. Canon Terri L. Bays, PhD.
Missioner for Transitions and Governance
Emergency Response NGO/Government Liaison

News from the Red Doors - July 31, 2020

This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker

Dear St. Paul's Family,

This week has been a bustle of activity around the state as school systems are trying to determine how and where they should attempt to educate our students this fall.  It has been fascinating to see one school system make one decision while two others make entirely different decisions.  The truth is, there is not one correct answer in this complex environment we are living.  There is no guarantee regarding the progression of this virus.  Ultimately, we make the best decisions we can in any moment and pray for the best.

I was thinking about this, about making the best decision and praying for the rest, as I walked over to the church building yesterday.  I was lost deep in thought about our practices at St. Paul's; about whether we are close to the "orange" category and should revert to live streaming only; and about how we are to press on as a faith community in the midst of this - when nature grabbed my attention again. 

Just outside of the parish hall doors are the beautiful plants pictured above.  The lily is beautiful not only in the flower but in its growing so tall and strong with seemingly little support.   (It has a long thin stalk.)  The arborvitae also tells a tale of being planted just this year, with roots that need to take hold, and water that needs to fall from the sky.  Both of these plants not only survive the volatility of nature but also are cared for along the way by forces completely outside of their control.

I'm not trying to be overly philosophical friends, while at the same time it is moments like these - in stopping to notice the beauty around me, that I am reminded that everything happening in this big world is completely outside of my control.  I can waste precious energy in worrying about it.  Or I can simply make the best decisions possible, at every turn, and trust in a heavenly Father that loves me - all of us - more than we can imagine.

I admit it, I am weary of this pandemic.  I am also weary of the conspiracy theories, the arguments about masks and their efficacy, and the endless debates about how COVID-19 can kill one person while another person tests positive and doesn't even know they had it.  I'm weary of our world, our schools, our church services, our ability to go on vacation or have dinner out being determined by a virus unidentifiable by the human eye.

Beyond all of my weariness, however, is my faith.  I know someday we will look back on the year 2020 with many lessons learned; with relationships tested and proven; with growth we never would have imagined outside of these extraordinary circumstances.  We will see God's hand in this, somehow, someway.  We MAY even consider ourselves blessed  because of it!   May we keep each other deep in prayer now AND always and look forward to looking back!

Blessings!

Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 

July 30, 2020 Determination Letter

My Dear Kindred in Christ,

It has been another rough week, with the highest statewide COVID-19 case numbers since the beginning of the pandemic. That reality is playing itself out differently across our counties, but in most the need for caution continues to be quite evident. Because everyone is wearing thin these days, I urge you to focus your efforts on restorative activities, both for your congregations and for yourselves. May the Wisdom of God lead us through these uncertain times.

Blessings,

Terri

The Rev. Canon Terri L. Bays, PhD.
Missioner for Transitions and Governance
Emergency Response NGO/Government Liaison