I'll often find myself holding several opposing tensions at the same time. We feel this in our cities and nation as we hold the concern for people who need to get back to work and earn a living with the virus’ cloaked freedom to infect each other. Life necessitates holding many tensions at once, challenging us as we form our thoughts, draw conclusions, and determine what is needed to do. The Vestry and I met this week to review the Bishop’s plans for reopening our buildings and in-person gatherings. As we did, we felt all the tensions regarding safety, desire to be together, and the facts about the virus. It is a peculiar tension that our desire to embody God’s life in our worship, prayers and fellowship is currently a risky endeavor for health and well-being.
The Vestry will communicate this plan shortly. It will follow the bishop’s guidelines as it relates to our particular parish. To be sure, the plan will reflect the reality of the virus with our calling to embody God’s love as a parish. Jesus prayed for his disciples, As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” True religion leads us to accept the truth of our world, leads us to each other, leads us to God. It helps to know that this is our religious calling, to be God’s people who hold the tensions in life with love. So join my prayer that we may we be set free from the anxiety and worry of the world, get creative with God and stay busy by the power of the Spirit to make outward God’s loving presence as we can. What a good gift it is to have the fellowship of St James the Less and go through life together. With you on the journey Lisa
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AuthorThe Rev. Lisa Senuta is the Rector of the Episcopal Church of St. James the Less in Northfield, Illinois. Archives
January 2021
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