A Word from Laura: “Community" Update
“How are we a courageous community living into God’s love and justice?”
This was the question Western’s leaders were asking ourselves last January, before we realized the two pandemics, Covid-19 and racism, would define our year. Before social distance would challenge our life together as a community of faith, yet precisely when we need God’s love and justice!
For Jesus, God’s love and justice weren’t abstract concepts, but embodied realities. The way to embody love and justice is as part of a community who are working on it together, committed to sharing each other’s journeys.
We at Western have been finding new ways to connect as a community. On Sundays I’ve been excited to see a great group continuing to participate in the Free Inquiry class, and I’ve heard good things from those participating in our on-line Sunday School. Others of you have recorded your voices as part of the virtual choir with Allan, and our groups working on antiracism and intercultural church have remained active – not to mention the ministry teams, virtual 5K running groups, or informal gatherings beyond our building. We are becoming a courageous community in new ways!
On November 1, another new way we’ll be community is through changing our Zoom worship format from “webinar” to “meeting.” We won’t be changing the order, or what you see on the screen for most of the service, but we believe it will make easier for you to turn on your screen for times like communion, “coffee hour” following worship, or breakout groups following the service. (We’ll continue to ask you to use mute and turn off video for most of the service – you may still worship in your pajamas if you prefer!) If you have already registered for our worship, no need to re-register, but please be aware that you will receive a different link for November 1 worship and Sundays following. (I’ll also go ahead and remind you about the clock falling back on November 1!)
November 1 is also All Saints’ Sunday. Our church and our world are grieving as never before. As we share communion, we will remember those we have lost this year. I encourage you to email me names of those whose lives have been lost, tragically and otherwise, with the heading “All Saints” in the subject line. Many of you will want to remember Mickey Voigt, John Goto, John Lytle, Elizabeth Telson, Erik Gutshall and others related to Western. You may wish to remember loved ones who have lost their lives in the pandemic . You may also wish to lift up those like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery or Breonna Taylor, who have lost their lives in extrajudicial killing. As you prepare for communion on November 1, please light a candle that can be seen on your camera. Your cue to turn on your video will be the reading of the name you wish to remember, so that by the end of the prayer, as we celebrate communion, the candlelight will represent the communion of all the saints.
Truly, our community is a communion, a sacred coming-together of siblings far and near, then and now. In these uncertain times, on the brink of this election, may we continue to give thanks for all the ways we still strive to live in to God’s love and justice, for us and for all. I hope to “see” you this Sunday!
Blessings of love and justice to you and to all,
Laura