The last 4 months have been pretty quiet for me and the Community Life group: no coffee and treats on Sunday mornings, no events to host, the shindig that was in the planning stages to celebrate the planned Capital Appeal put on hold, nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch.
So, I’ve directed my energy elsewhere. I helped with set-up for Drive-in Worship the first few weeks. What fun times! And what a blessing to actually SEE the people I’ve been thinking about. Making phone calls to try to stay in touch just isn’t the same. It’s been wonderful to sing out loud in the car, to hear the prayer responses in the cars around me, and to honk our horns to thank the musicians leading us from the backs of pick-up trucks. It would be fun if Drive-in worship could continue for a long time, but with Minnesota weather we know it must come to an end. Hopefully not too soon!
This brings me to another opportunity I’m involved with, and that’s participating in the group that is working to set protocols for our return to the Sanctuary. Al Buss is leading us through difficult decisions that need to be made, and this thoughtful group has consulted a whole list of resources that are available from the Synod, Minnesota Department of Health, CDC, and an Ecumenical document from the ELCA representing 5 traditions, including Lutheran, that states on the first page, “..because we care about people and their safety. And we care about finding ways to gather for worship in this new environment, ways that are rich with theological tradition and faithful in public witness. We also care about the many leaders who are being asked to take on responsibilities for worship they had not previously imagined. About how to return to the sanctuary while keeping everyone safe and healthy...”
So, I’ve directed my energy elsewhere. I helped with set-up for Drive-in Worship the first few weeks. What fun times! And what a blessing to actually SEE the people I’ve been thinking about. Making phone calls to try to stay in touch just isn’t the same. It’s been wonderful to sing out loud in the car, to hear the prayer responses in the cars around me, and to honk our horns to thank the musicians leading us from the backs of pick-up trucks. It would be fun if Drive-in worship could continue for a long time, but with Minnesota weather we know it must come to an end. Hopefully not too soon!
This brings me to another opportunity I’m involved with, and that’s participating in the group that is working to set protocols for our return to the Sanctuary. Al Buss is leading us through difficult decisions that need to be made, and this thoughtful group has consulted a whole list of resources that are available from the Synod, Minnesota Department of Health, CDC, and an Ecumenical document from the ELCA representing 5 traditions, including Lutheran, that states on the first page, “..because we care about people and their safety. And we care about finding ways to gather for worship in this new environment, ways that are rich with theological tradition and faithful in public witness. We also care about the many leaders who are being asked to take on responsibilities for worship they had not previously imagined. About how to return to the sanctuary while keeping everyone safe and healthy...”
There will be things we can no longer do that we’ll miss, so we’re focusing on the positive and what we can do. We can worship together and praise God for all his blessings, enjoy music and communion together as a church. We’ll be sending out information in the near future detailing how this will happen, but you can guess most of it: stay home if you’re sick, wear a mask on site, physically distance, all the things you’re already doing (that have almost become normal!). Watch the weekly enews and our website for information as protocols are shared.
Lastly, many months ago we received information through Mark Hagelin that there was grant money available through Hennepin County for organizations to ramp up their recycling, composting and waste reduction. I submitted some ideas to the County for consideration, and they said go ahead and write a grant proposal. I met with groups like the Altar Guild about using reusable communion cups that can run through the church dishwasher. We had already started using real coffee cups Sunday mornings and real plates for most Wednesday night dinners. Finally, after much waiting, we received approval yesterday for $1900 to purchase the communion cups and racks, composting receptacles and a number of other items aimed at reducing our waste. You won’t see many of these items for quite a while because of the current situation, but you will when we eventually are able to return for worship and activities inside the building.
God is still here. He knows the pain and sadness the pandemic created, but he also knows the joys that await us when we once again gather together. I believe there are new and exciting ways for us to be creative with worship. Who knew 4 months ago that Zoom was a thing? I average 3-4 meetings a week on Zoom between work and church, and I had never heard of it until recently. What other wonderful helps are available for us to be Church together? Let’s find out together!
See you in church 🙂,
Diane LaFontaine
Community Life Council Representative
Lastly, many months ago we received information through Mark Hagelin that there was grant money available through Hennepin County for organizations to ramp up their recycling, composting and waste reduction. I submitted some ideas to the County for consideration, and they said go ahead and write a grant proposal. I met with groups like the Altar Guild about using reusable communion cups that can run through the church dishwasher. We had already started using real coffee cups Sunday mornings and real plates for most Wednesday night dinners. Finally, after much waiting, we received approval yesterday for $1900 to purchase the communion cups and racks, composting receptacles and a number of other items aimed at reducing our waste. You won’t see many of these items for quite a while because of the current situation, but you will when we eventually are able to return for worship and activities inside the building.
God is still here. He knows the pain and sadness the pandemic created, but he also knows the joys that await us when we once again gather together. I believe there are new and exciting ways for us to be creative with worship. Who knew 4 months ago that Zoom was a thing? I average 3-4 meetings a week on Zoom between work and church, and I had never heard of it until recently. What other wonderful helps are available for us to be Church together? Let’s find out together!
See you in church 🙂,
Diane LaFontaine
Community Life Council Representative