Proceeding with Caution and Seeking Wisdom
Dear Cathedral Family,
I miss you. I know that this time of quarantine seems to be dragging on and on. People are calling the church asking when we will resume services. I know how you feel. I want to see you too.
I am in close communication with priests who serve in vibrant Episcopal churches like ours all over this nation and in Europe. It is fascinating to hear about each area and culture. We appear to be at the forefront of opening up our city, as Mayor Curry seems to want to begin that process as soon as possible. Other cities, like Seattle, seem to be more firmly shut down, and their Cathedral is not opening for worship until much later in the summer if then.
All this is to say that I am praying and thinking and listening and reading all the time. The Vestry and I are now meeting every other week. We will continue to do our best to communicate with you via virtual means until we can be sure that there are ways for us to gather safely. I believe that God is calling us to care for one another by taking the utmost precautions. We are learning a new way of worshipping and, although it is not the same as in-person worship, it does have merit, and it does convey our love of God and each other.
I promise to stay in touch with you as things change and our city adapts to the new normal. What I do know is this: this pandemic has strengthened our community of faith. It has awakened us to the importance of each other and the essential nature of our relationship with God. We are stronger and wiser today because of this great challenge. And we will emerge with greater wisdom and understanding.
In the meanwhile, I do have some advice. Stay disciplined. Keep a regular schedule. Pray daily, especially don’t forget to give thanks. Exercise. Eat well. And take some action for your faith. We are going to focus on gathering food for St. Mary’s Mission, our church plant in Springfield. When you go to the grocery store, buy an extra bag of non-perishables, diapers, peanut butter, toiletries. You can drop these items off at the Cathedral at designated times (Find more information in this very newsletter!). Continue to give financially as you can, as this is essential for our continued ministry. And if you like to plant in a garden, do that, or draw or cook--find something creative to occupy your hands, something tactile to counter the long hours we must now spend in the virtual world.
God bless you. We are the church together. Nothing can change that.
With love, Kate+
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