Theirs is the lesson of Advent. Amid loss, despair, poverty, injustice, fear, and mourning, we all long for and expect something new, Someone New, for help, relief, mercy, justice, or rescue. Most people expect God to provide salvation. God did, and God does.

Joy bounded across the church plaza from smiling face to smiling face for our Back to Church Picnic last Sunday. Sixty-six people revelled in gathering on a perfect fall day and hailed each other with “I’m so glad to see you in the flesh again!” “It’s been way too long!” “It’s wonderful to meet someone new.” The half-dozen children – and a family pet – made everyone smile even more broadly.

Needless to say, the pandemic has changed things. In some cases, it’s created a new normal. For instance, we’ll probably always do simultaneous online and in-person “hybrid” worship. We wouldn’t have imagined this two years ago.

In other instances, the pandemic accelerated existing trends. As an example, more and more churchgoers say they attend church less and less for the liturgical elements (like preaching and hearing the Word) than for the experience of community.