It has been almost a month since Jayne and I joined the St. Andrew’s UMC community. We have experienced the challenges and chaos of moving; the transitions in moving into a new house, into a new community, and getting settled into a new church. Plus we have done so while at the same time keeping our social distance—not being able to give hugs goodbye, then turn around and not being able to greet our new church community with the same hugs. It has certainly been an experience. But what Jayne, the girls, and I have realized, through all this change, it has been an amazing experience. We could almost say it has been an exceptionally smooth and easy transition.
So why is this? Well, I have realized that we have moved from one faith-filled community to another faith-filled community. We have moved from a community that is passionate in spreading the love of Christ to another community that is passionate in spreading the love of Christ. The two church communities, of course, are different, but both are still grounded in one faith, one heart for Jesus, one mission, one Lord, one Kingdom. That is what the body of Christ is all about. We went from one group of Christian friends to whom we had to say farewell to greeting another group of Christian friends, many of them whom we have not met yet. But we know that you will soon be our dear friends, who worship together, grow together, and serve one another and this community. Though we may not have met, we are still friends in Christ.
Through this time of social-distancing, it has been frustrating for Jayne and me to try to get to know you from a distance. We long to be introduced, to hear all about you and to share our faith journeys. Yet we also want to do so in a safe environment, having the utmost concern for the health and well-being of our community. As John Wesley would say, “Do no harm.”
So, beginning Sunday August 16, we would like to invite you to a “Virtual Lunch with the Pastors.” Each week Jayne and I will gather with a group of eight of you via Zoom, so that we can get to know our new friends and you can get to know us. To share our journeys and our dreams. Until we figure out how to provide a virtual lunch, you will, of course, need to provide your own food. We are so eager to get to know you. During these unprecedented times, this will have to suffice until we can greet each other with a Christian hug. Look for details in how to sign up in the Friday Connection.
Looking forward to being together.
Blessings,
Gary