I felt the need to reach out to our congregation and friends of Messiah Lutheran Church.

I have heard and understand the concerns that many of you are experiencing. Most of us have never seen anything like this. The pandemic has interrupted our lives, people are losing their jobs, some of us have not felt comfortable leaving our homes. We as a church have not been able to worship together since before Easter, this has been hard for all of us. 

I just want to express to you that I have witnessed acts of profound kindness and creative ingenuity that remind me of the better angels within us.

We are watching a Church prove itself to be incredibly adaptable as current guidelines have kept us from gathering safely. Messiah, who had not gathered in a digital community until Covid 19, and I am not sure we thought we would need or want to, are doing just that – and experiencing something very profound and very meaningful. We have heard stories of whole families, spread across the country, being able to gather together for the same worship service via digital broadcast. That is such a meaningful gift the church has to offer in a time such as this. 

We understand with you the changes that we are all living with; and we will continue to celebrate as a body of Christ.

We have learned to adapt quickly to meet the emerging needs of our community. It is our hope and prayer that what we are learning about ourselves – about our capacity for grace, for hope, for change, and for love goes beyond our walls and will enrich us long after this pandemic ends. 

We have had many requests to bring back traditional ways of gathering for everything from bible studies, youth gatherings, and worship.

Gathering to worship and fellowship in this moment places our loved ones at risk. Many of us have started to feel a bit disconnected by the new normal of social distancing rules we have become accustomed to. I want you all to know that the Church staff, Council and Pastor Chuck, are looking into ways to make this happen. We must follow the guidelines that seem restrictive but are there for our own protection. I ask that you understand that we have a deep desire to bring back our traditional gatherings. To see each other face to face and not screen to screen is what we pray for. 

We can do this.

We are the Church, the body of the risen Christ. As leaders called to serve you, we pledge to you that we will continue to draw on every resource available to us that will help you through this pandemic.

 

Faithfully,

Charlie Radabaugh, Messiah Council President

 

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