A Message from Bishop Sharma D Lewis: Work Group to recommend guidelines for opening

May 9, 2020

Dear Virginia Conference,

May the Lord be with you and keep you. It is a wonderful day to be a United Methodist. I know that Virginia United Methodists are longing for the return to in-person worship. One of our highest priorities must be loving our neighbors through ensuring the safety of those who attend our services. As we reported this week, a work group of church leaders, medical professionals, and legal professionals have been working hard to provide guidance to help us go back to in-person worship safely. On Friday morning, the Cabinet reviewed a draft of their work and we are preparing a list of frequently asked questions this weekend.

Friday afternoon, Governor Northam announced that he may loosen the restrictions related to in-person worship on May 15, 2020. Our timetable, as United Methodists, will be phased. I will allow Drive-In worship to begin on May 24, 2020 for all churches under strict guidelines that will be released by May 15, 2020. I will also authorize some test churches (we will call them “pioneer” churches) to open on May 24, 2020 with no more than 25 people in attendance under strict guidelines that will also be released by May 15, 2020. These pioneer churches will provide much needed data for the churches in our various districts on how to open safely.

Please continue to be in prayer for those who are affected by COVID-19 and those working hard to care for them. Pray as well for those who are extending themselves to serve at great risk and great cost. Whenever we return to worship, we will have stories to tell of God’s goodness and provision in this crisis.

Peace and Blessings,

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

A Message from Bishop Sharma D Lewis

April 14, 2020 Dear Virginia Conference, I hope you and your families had a very blessed Easter celebration. Let us remember that our hope as believers is in Jesus Christ. Though our Easter services looked quite different this year, I hope that, especially in this challenging time of a global pandemic, you heard the Easter story anew and, with confidence assured in the resurrected Christ, said, “Alleluia! Christ IS risen!” Thank you to our pastors, church staff and volunteers who are continuing to find creative worship opportunities through livestream, phone, print and many other communications avenues, so we can worship, promote fellowship and do the mission of the church. The commitment of so many of you to be flexible and to take on the challenges that COVID-19 presents empowers us to do God’s work effectively and SAFELY. It brings joy to our congregants, communities and the heart of God. And we must persevere. Governor Northam’s statewide stay-at-home order is in effect until June 10. As such, in-person worship cannot take place until June 11. If the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or revised before June 10, we will re-evaluate the status of in-person worship. In-person, “drive-thru” or “drive-in” worship services on or off Virginia Conference property remain canceled until further notice. I ask that our Virginia Conference clergy and laity stay the course by continuing to observe social distancing, proper hygiene and follow the stay-at-home directive. This is not an easy time for any of us, but in Christian love we need to look out for our vulnerable communities and do our utmost to decrease the strain on our healthcare system and emergency services. It is hard not to be able to meet in-person as a community of faith, but we know God is not the church building. God is so much more than a building. For information about conference resources, ways churches are staying connected, church offerings and much more, please visit: https://vaumc.org/Coronavirus2020. May the promise of Easter remain with us during the pandemic and through the rest of our year. Peace and Blessings, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

The Virginia United Methodist Center   PO Box 5606   Glen Allen, VA 23058 (804) 521-1100

On Reading the Psalms

Grace Church Family,

During this time of high anxiety and fear I am finding the daily practice of reading a psalm a day very enriching. I follow Dr. MarkWhiting on Twitter and he also has an excellent blog here:  https://psaltermark.com  Mark is Anglican OT scholar, a "psalm addict," and encourages this practice of reading a psalm a day and when you reach Psalm 150 going back and starting over again. I love it.

In last week's sermon I mentioned an email conversation I had with our own Susan Garrett about the psalms. Last week I sent out a prayer that was adapted from Psalm 94. I loved it. Susan replied back that while there are many good written prayers being shared today on social media there is nothing quite like the Psalms. She is so, so right.

The wonder of the Psalms is that they speak God's Word to us, especially in times where everything seems to be shaking. They inspire trust and faith and adoration of the living God. They also speak for us. The Psalmist's words become our words. We can pray the psalm ourselves.

Today I read Psalm 32. This verse jumped off the page: "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7 NRSV). I could not help but think of Corrie ten Boom as I read this. This passage was a life verse for her. (I've been reading a biography about her lately and so she's been on my mind). If you have not read her book,  The Hiding Place, let me encourage you to do so. It is a classic, one of those books to read every few years. The Lord is our hiding place. He is my hiding place.

Or consider this from Psalm 32: "Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin" (verse 5, NRSV). God is our hiding place and the one who forgives us! Two promises to hold on to each and every day.

I read the Psalms from the same Bible each day. I find that helpful. My leather NRSV Bible I usually keep in the study at church. I have hardbacks at home that are identical to it so that helps me to remember where things are on certain pages. I also use the RSV, NIV, and the KJV when it comes to reading the Psalms. BibleGateway.com is another resource I use if I am away from my hard copies. I have it on all my computers, iPad, and iPhone. I use it each day.

So, start today with Psalm 1. If you begin and miss a day or two pick up where you left off. Listen for God to speak to you. See Christ in the Psalms. Let the words become your prayer.

Blessed reading!

In the fellowship of our Lord,

Clay+

Living in Plague Times by Philip Yancey

Here is a blog post recommended by Pastor Clay. It's by author and journalist, Philip Yancey with some perspective and Biblical references for today's pandemic. The post includes some good links for good and accurate information on Covid-19, and perspective on how to cope and handle these times. Please check it out.

Living in Plague Times by Philip Yancey