Hello! What follows is some important information and
communications from us, and the greater United Methodist Church. Have a
coffee or sweet tea and read the June Grace Notes:
Healthy Church Team sets to work
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our conference has asked each church to create a Healthy
Church Team to work on opening the church again for worship. Bishop Sharma Lewis
and her cabinet will determine a specific time when we can return to worship,
but this new team is to prepare and make it's own determination as to when it
would be best to return to worship.
Our Healthy Church Team members are Charlie and Lisa Higgs,
Clay and Lisa Knick, Randy and Sherry Jenkins, Carolyn Bell, Jody Osborne,
Betsy Jenkins, and Katie Fauver. Each member was asked to read the handbook
created by our conference that each church must use to prepare to return to
worship in person. The current handbook has 77 pages.
After reading the handbook and the many understandable restrictions
placed on returning to in person worship the team decided it would be in
everyone's best interest to wait until we can worship in a way rather similar
to what we are familiar with. Of course, we have no idea when this may take
place. This decision is also based on the risks involved with exposure to the
virus. The information provided by our own Katie Fauver, an RN at Winchester
Medical Center, was very helpful in making this decision.
This decision is also made out of love of neighbor and
the utmost concern for so many. We want to "do no harm" to anyone.
The Healthy Church Team will meet again July 8th.
Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the team
if you have questions. Remember you can always see the weekly sermon on
Facebook and Robin will add it to the blog each week.
We miss all of you so very much.
Grace + peace,
Clay+
___
Pastor Clay recommends the following by Michael Gorman of St.
Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore, Maryland, the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and
Theology, September 1991 to present.
A
Brief Biblical Theology for the Covid Church, in Outline (a work
in progress, updated 5/25)
Governing Principles in Putting This
Together
A. Covid is possibly here to stay for years, not months, coming and going in waves.
B. The church is, in Tom Wright’s words, in a time of exile—though not total and not the same everywhere (https://time.com/…/should-churches-reopen-thinking-about-…/…).
C. This is not a time to “completely rethink” the church (as if that were actually a possibility) or to offer theologically flawed proposals (such as “maybe we don’t need to worship together after all”). Rather, the watchword (actually, watch-phrase) right now needs to be “creative fidelity.”
D. At the same time, this will be a time of creative tension, perhaps even among these biblical perspectives.
A. Covid is possibly here to stay for years, not months, coming and going in waves.
B. The church is, in Tom Wright’s words, in a time of exile—though not total and not the same everywhere (https://time.com/…/should-churches-reopen-thinking-about-…/…).
C. This is not a time to “completely rethink” the church (as if that were actually a possibility) or to offer theologically flawed proposals (such as “maybe we don’t need to worship together after all”). Rather, the watchword (actually, watch-phrase) right now needs to be “creative fidelity.”
D. At the same time, this will be a time of creative tension, perhaps even among these biblical perspectives.
1. *Let us love the Lord our God... and
our neighbor as ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:28–31).*
The double commandment remains the same. Its expression will take on new forms.
2. *Let us not forsake the assembling
of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25).* Meeting together is not an option for
Christians, but a necessity. We need to meet in creative ways until, once
again, we can give full expression to the incarnational character of the faith.
We need to keep finding creative ways for worship, study, pastoral care, and
mission. *Update*: We should remember that Jesus is present with us even when
we are just gathered as two or three.
3. *Let us not, by asserting our
rights, real or alleged, do harm to those for whom Christ died (1 Corinthians
8).* This is not the season for Christians and churches to insist on their
rights, constitutional or otherwise, to meet physically precisely as we used to
do, or at any cost. Caution, prudence, and creativity are signs of
neighbor-love.
4. *Let us proclaim the gospel in word
and deed, for it is God who is at work among us (Philippians 1:27–2:16).* It is
a time to do so without complaining about our predicament, as good witnesses.
5. *Let us seek the welfare of the city
where we are in exile (Jeremiah 29:7).* This is a season to think creatively about
the church’s outreach into whatever place we find ourselves in exile, not
because the government or the culture deems us “essential” (or not), but
because that is what God expects of the people of God in exile.
6. *Let us grieve and lament (Psalms;
Romans 12:15).* This is a season of sorrow and lamentation because there has
been so much loss for so many. We acknowledge our own spiritual losses (of
in-person worship, etc.), but we especially wish to cry out with and for those
among us who have lost jobs or loved ones, those who have sacrificed for others
and been emotionally or physically devastated, and those whose present and future
lives seem so uncertain.
7. *Let us bear one another’s burdens
and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).* This is a time to become
aware of the needs of others in our Christian communities and beyond in order
to work together to address them. This includes financial, spiritual,
emotional, and other kinds of needs.
8. *Let us remember the poor (Galatians
2:10).* This is a time to pay special attention to the least, the poor—with a
broad understanding of poverty—both nearby and around the world.
9. *Let us embody the fruit of the
Spirit, most especially patience (Galatians 5:22–23).* This is a time to allow
the Spirit to work in and among us to bring to greater fruition all the
dimensions of the Spirit’s fruit, but perhaps most importantly what has sometimes
been called longsuffering.
10. *Let us embody the virtues of
faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).* It is always time to practice
this triad of theological virtues and share them with others, but now they will
take on special shape and meaning.
11.
*Let us clothe ourselves with humility (Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 5:5).* This is
a time when we need humility because we are constantly moving into unknown
territory, and we will all make mistakes. We need to recognize our own
inadequacies and extend ourselves and one another extra measures of grace while
also humbly holding ourselves and one another accountable. God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.
__
Please DO WEAR A MASK when visiting the Church. Although
there are no office hours set as yet both Pastor and Robin are sometimes there.
Pastor Knick has a compromised immune system, and Robin has several health risk
factors. Some necessary meetings have been scheduled and masks and social
distancing are required for those in attendance. Check with your Chair person
if you have a question.
___
Here is a very good article about grief during this time
of pandemic:
___
Stewardship Matters
Your Generosity Is Showing!
You may not believe this, but it is an exciting time to be
the church! The oft-quoted phrase, ‘The church has left the building’ has never
been truer. It is really quite exciting!
God calls us to be stewards in every situation. Practicing
generosity is consistent with a desire to serve God and his church. Disciples
of Jesus Christ persevere in times of hardship and look for ways to be of
service to the Kingdom of God.
I have been encouraged to hear that many churches have
continued to receive the generous gifts of a generous people in this time. My
hunch is that churches with numerous households that give online or through a
recurring bank draft will have a regular source of support and will not suffer.
Though we are not gathered for worship we are scattered for
mission. The church is thriving outside the walls of the building. That is –
when and where we continue to live and act as grateful and generous stewards of
a grateful and generous God.
What are we to say about this period in human history? This
pandemic, has virtually shut down
life as we know it. What story are we writing even now? What
will future generations learn about this epochal event and how we, the church,
responded to it? What will be our
‘stewardship story’?
These questions are far more important than we may realize
for at present we are overwhelmed with the reality of making sure we take appropriate
precautions and consumed with just getting through each day. We look forward to
when the economy begins to open up, people return to work, and we gather for
worship in the space that means so much to us. Even then, we know it will be
different for a long time and perhaps forever.
We will eventually return to a ‘new normal’ and, if we are
foolish, we will forget the lessons we have learned from this pandemic. ‘Staying
at home’ has its own challenges and rewards . There are lessons to be learned
that will make us wiser.
So ponder these questions:
>How are you being a steward of your time and of
relationships now?
>Are you finding new ways to connect with God and with
others?
>Did you give a minimum of a tithe from your government
stimulus? Can you do more than that if you are able?
>Where did you share this windfall with someone in need?
What a great time to be the church! In a strange and bizarre time in human
history we can write part of the story with how we make a difference in human
life. This pandemic cannot stop us from being the church and being disciples.
Only we can do that. Our generosity is
showing! Or not!
Please practice generosity. Always practice generosity!
Rev. David A. Rash
© Stewardship Matters of Virginia
Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising
___
Honoring
our 2020 Graduates
Got Graduates? We want to hear from you! Email Graceumc2@comcast.net please!
We heard from Nell Lunde. Congratulations to these member
graduates:
Joseph C. Lunde-A well-earned High School Diploma from
Sherando High School and Grafton School.
Catherine (Cate) M. Lunde-Advanced Diploma from Sherando
High School after 4 years being medically homebound! Continuing her attendance
at LFCC.
Eleanor (Ellen) E. Lunde-Advanced Diploma from Sherando
High School-National Honors Society member, Associate of Arts and Sciences from
LFCC-Governor's Scholar-President's List, Attending George Mason University.
Entering as a rising junior. Pre-med, Majoring in Biochemistry
___
Craft
Bazaar Date Set
The 2020
Craft Bazaar will not be rescheduled this year. Instead the 2021 date has been
set for Saturday, March 13, 2021 with the snowdate the following week. All confirmed
vendors from this year were notified and offered a place next year. Most have
accepted. Their fees paid this year will apply to their spaces.
___
Mow and
Trim Volunteers needed! Please
help keep the church yard looking good. Here is the current schedule:
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Randy Jenkins 540-533-3001
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___
A Call to
Action on Systemic Racism
Dear Virginia Annual Conference:
On Memorial Day, when the world was honoring and
remembering all military men and women for their sacrifice to this country, Mr.
George Floyd, another African-American man, while handcuffed and in police
custody, was pleading for his life. His dying statement, “I can’t breathe,”
rings again in my ears just as it did in 2014 when Eric Garner used those same
words as he was dying from being held in a chokehold by a New York Police
Department officer.
As I have reflected since Monday, I find my emotions
range from sadness to anger to disbelief.
I ask myself the simple questions – “How long, Lord? How long, Lord?”
Isn’t it enough that we are fighting a pandemic and at
the same time fighting life’s other challenges? Isn’t it enough that we
witnessed the senseless death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, the disturbing
exchange between Christian Cooper and Amy Cooper in Central Park, and the
barely-mentioned Breonna Taylor, who was killed by Louisville Metro Police Department
officers executing a warrant at the wrong house in March?
When do we as children of God decide that God is calling
us into action? When do we decide that mere words or social media interactions
for a few days are just not enough?
When do we as children of God decide that the systemic
racism in our society, whether manifested overtly or covertly, is a sin that
hinders our relationship with Jesus Christ and is antithetical to the gospel?
When do we as children of God in the second largest
annual conference in The United Methodist connection decide to have the crucial
conversations and examine our own experiential and inherited stories of race
and racism? I believe that everything in life begins and ends with the story
you have accepted as truth about yourself and others. These stories shape our
thinking, actions and assumptions about different races.
The lesson from these senseless deaths is that the fight
to eradicate racism is not another person’s problem but humanity’s problem, and
I believe that I’m not the only voice in the Virginia Annual Conference that
wants to see real change and work toward the complete eradication of racism.
As the Resident Bishop of the Virginia Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church, I am requesting that leaders of the Virginia
faith community join in a conversation about policing with Governor Ralph
Northam. The requested conversation will focus on statewide community
relationships and policing training and practices.
In addition, I would like to invite the people of the
Virginia Annual Conference to join me in these call to action steps:
We need informed clergy and laity to have authentic
conversations about race and reconciliation in houses of worship, communities,
and workplaces in which we acknowledge racism as a sin and actively pursue
whatever is necessary to dismantle the injustices. One resource for starting
that conversation is the Racial Justice Conversations Guide produced by the
General Commission on Religion and Race; Community policing emphasizes working
with neighborhood residents as partners in creating public safety. We can offer
our support and involvement with law enforcement agencies that want to work
with community residents to identify problems and collaborate on implementing
solutions that produce meaningful results for the community; and
We can encourage civilian participation in oversight of
law enforcement in order to strengthen trust with the community. Every
community should define the appropriate form and structure of civilian oversight
to meet the needs of that community.
Continue to pray for the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud
Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Let us hold close the words of the Apostle Paul,
who reminds us in Romans 12:21; “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good.” (NKJV)
Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis
cc: Governor
Ralph Northam
Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Esq.
___
From the UMC Council on Bishops: As people of faith it
is time to take a stand against any and all expressions of racism and white
supremacy.
___
Please do stay in touch!
Pastor Clay email: clayknick@comcast.net
Administrative Assistant Robin Arnold: GraceUMC2@comcast.net
