Adapting & Connecting
Dear friends & members of St. Matt's,
I hope that this edition of our e-news finds you well. What follows is a little different than our normal e-news and it has been very much a team effort. Yesterday, I sent you an update on our life together indicating that we are pausing all programming except worship on Sunday morning. There are some practical pieces of that note that are important, so if you didn't read it, you can find it here.
While our programming has been suspended, the staff and I have been working hard on building alternatives. I'm so grateful for the team that is the staff and clergy at St. Matt's. This team is faithful and dedicated and they have responded quickly to our need to adapt. We have lots to share with you about ways to connect in the coming days. There is even more in the works than what you see here, and we will keep you posted as it unfolds. I hope that you will jump into these opportunities with us, tell us what else you need, and journey through this time with us. We will continue to evaluate the situation carefully. And I've been advised to look at our programming one week at a time. Everything you need to know follows in our e-news; that will continue to be the case as we move forward. There is a lot of information, so please take a careful look through.
I'm also very grateful for the ways that you have responded - watching you, even in the last 48 hours, lean in and care for each other has been a holy thing to see. I am not surprised, I know you well enough now to know how big the heart of this community is. And I am both moved by it and grateful for it. Thank you for the bubbling up of good ideas, the ways you're checking on each other, and the love you're showing. It is a beautiful and holy thing to behold. As you care for each other, please make sure you're also taking every precaution for yourself and the person you're checking on.
The Vestry and I will be reaching out to check on folks throughout this time. So, don't be alarmed if you hear from us! And there are movements towards pastoral care, wellness checks, and tending to the needs of those who need to be home. Also, it's important to note that the Health Department has recommended all children be kept home, so all of our events with children and youth have been paused.
Please pray for all those who have been affected by this virus. Prayer is a remarkable thing. It connects us deeply to the God who loves us. And it allows us to hold up people we love, to lift them up into the light of God. Prayer is good for us. It helps with anxiety, it mitigates stress, it reminds us of who we are. Prayer is the way our souls breathe deeply - it's how we fill our lungs and know we are alive. And it allows us to tap into the goodness of God. In your prayer today, may you know God's presence with you, and may it remind you that you are not alone, that you need not be afraid, that you are beloved.
Please don't hesitate to be in touch if there is anything I can do for you. The staff and I are here to help. If you need to talk, please reach out to me or to Don. You are in our prayers. God bless you.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector