Dear Soon-to-be friends at Christ Church,
We keep finding ourselves telling stories about where we were and what we were doing on 9/11 or the day the Challenger exploded, someday we’re going to tell stories about what we did during the Pandemic of 2020. Someday. But right now, many of us are trying to catch up with the pace of change, and wondering what comes next.
As you know, Kim and I were to arrive this weekend, and I was to officially start at Christ Church on April 1. But restrictions in New York State are changing so fast these days, we can’t be sure they won’t order a lock down — possibly preventing our move to Maryland for who knows how long. So we decided the smart thing was to come down early — just in case! I’m speaking to now from the church office, and this week I’ve been working with Peyton, Bill, and others to help Christ Church adapt to the circumstances we face in these strange and confusing days.
I think it might be helpful if instead of the term “social distancing” we used the term “physical distancing.” It’s important for us to find ways to maintain our social relationships for our emotional and spiritual and community health, even while we keep our distance for our physical health. So that’s one of thing things we’re working on this week: tools for staying connected as a community while keeping a safe distance.
So here are some of the things we’re working on, to help us stay connect… to maintain our community… to keep on being Church:
- First, we plan to offer online worship on Sundays at 10am, beginning this Sunday.
- We plan to offer interactive online Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 10am, starting April
- Then, on Wednesday evenings we plan to offer interactive online Compline at 7pm.
- We will would like to offer interactive Bible studies and spiritual conversations at times yet to be determined. (I need to hear from you know when are the best times for you.)
Later this week we’ll put all the information you need on our Facebook page so you can access these virtual gatherings from your own computer, smartphone, or tablet. Email me (ccwr.rector@gmail.com ) if you have any trouble and I’ll try to help.
If you’re wondering what to do with yourself in these quiet days when we’re supposed to be home, what better time than this for you to expand and deepen your experience of prayer? One of my favorite verses of Scripture is Psalm 46.10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
The peace of the Lord be always with you!
The Rev. Dr. Richard Laribee
