Dear friends,
As businesses begin to reopen across the state, I write to update you on our plans at St. Peter’s.
The Bishop has decided that Episcopal Churches will continue to offer exclusively online worship until the county in which they reside has at least two weeks of decline in active cases of COVID-19. In Collin County, that is not expected to happen for some time still. When we do reach that point, there will be specific guidelines from the Diocese about the procedures and precautions for reopening, and I know that despite those precautions, not everyone will be ready to come back. We will continue to offer an online worship opportunity for the foreseeable future.
I know that this will disappoint those who are ready to come back now. And those who do not believe we should be reopening yet are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief. The polarization in our world seems to be growing because of that difference, and it concerns me deeply. When people divide, evil takes a foothold in our souls.
If we are truthful with ourselves, most of us fall somewhere in the middle. We do not yet fully understand this disease, and it is important to protect the vulnerable. But we also know that the psychological and economic impacts of isolation, particularly on that same vulnerable population, could be dire. This is a complicated situation, and oversimplifying it–as some politicians, news anchors, and meme-makers on all sides of the issue have done–is irresponsible and dangerous.
Resist the urge to follow their lead in pretending you have it all figured out and everyone else is wrong. That comes from our own doubt and fear, not from a place of confidence and peace. Simply put, it is “my need for you to believe what I believe so I can believe that what I believe is believable.”
Instead, do the hard work of Christian discernment:
- Read the Bible. Meditate on Philippians 2 or Romans 8.
- Pray. Ask God what to do. Cry, sing, beg, thank, yell… whatever is in your heart. And listen.
- Study the facts. Watch the news and read some articles, but remember to limit your exposure.
- Reflect. Examine your motivations. Question what you believe. Lay your soul bare before God.
- Lean on the Church. Call people you trust, be honest with each other, and really listen to them.
- Have faith. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Trust what he tells you.
And then, no matter what conclusions you each come to, go out of your way to treat each other well, especially those you disagree with, and especially online. Remember, they’ll know we’re Christians by our love.
Through all of this, God loves you deeply, and so do I. We are family, and no virus or isolation can change that. I miss you, and I can’t wait to see you all again. In the meantime, keep the faith.
In Christ,
Fr. Perry Mullins
Here is a message of hope and encouragement from our Bishop:
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