October 2020
Greetings All!
As you read this, we will have crossed the threshold of 200 days of social isolation and distancing. None of us could have foreseen that as we approach one of our holiest seasons of the church year, that not worshiping together physically could be a very real consideration.
But if we have learned nothing else during this difficult time, it is how to adjust and create. We’ve adjusted how we’ve done the work of the church and created new ways to do the work of the church. It is as though we’ve been in a season of gestation and the birth is on the horizon.
As we prepare to enter that time of the year where so much of what we celebrate is centered around togetherness, where so much of our worship is experiential and expressive, where so much of who we are is focused on connection, let us not be distracted by what may not be. Let us instead celebrate what is!
Let us celebrate…
- the twelve young people confirmed and welcomed into our congregation.
- the three infant/toddler baptisms.
- the worship services now live-streamed.
- the Daily Breath Meditation moments.
Let us celebrate…
- being part of Kensington Neighbors Magazine’s November Issue.
- packing and delivering Smart Sacks to Veirs Mill Elementary School.
- Hunger Ministry continuing to provide for the 100+ families usually served.
- Canned Good and Non-Perishable donations delivered to Bethesda Help.
- Back Pack Build providing an entire SUV-full of new school supplies to our partners at Interfaith Works.
There is so much we can celebrate, so much we have accomplished.
The Re-Entering Well Team has approved and welcomed the Brookewood School back into the building for in-person instruction in compliance with state and local guidelines, protections, and precautions.
Our Re-Entering Well Team continues to work toward our re-entering well, having also approved the youth ministry for hybrid (virtual and socially distanced in-person) meetings and activities. The United Methodist Men prepared a “virtual” apple sale, so place your orders until October 22.
The Re-Entering Well Team is reviewing our staff plan to reestablish office hours and some in person meetings. Soon, we will share a “road map” of where we are in re-entering.
Our Building Committee has presented a revised building project scope for which church members voted to proceed.
We have taken bold steps to launch our stewardship campaign for 2020, acknowledging the great work to be done through the ministries of our church.
None of us could have prepared for what this year has offered. However we have continued to find ways to be the church.
It can also be said, for all that we might celebrate, we have had our moments of sorrow. These moments of grief are compounded by our inability to gather and comfort one another.
It is our sincere hope that we will find a way to celebrate together the “Roll Call of the Saints” on All Saints Sunday November 1, 2020. We invite you to join us in prayer as we explore how this might be done safely for all.
We will continue to live stream services from the sanctuary each Sunday, and hold as-weather-permits worship outdoors in the park.
We are invited to join the Kensington-Chevy Chase Ministerium for a virtual Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday November 24, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. And we are planning our Advent and Christmas Eve Worship experiences.
There are still a few months remaining to this unimaginable year. I pray you are willing to continue with me along this journey of so many firsts.
“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NRSV