Stop Waiting for Normal and Reconnect
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. ”
An Episcopalian Priest’s article in The Atlantic moved my heart. In the article, “My Church Doesn’t Know What to Do Anymore,” Rev. Elizabeth Felicetti shares how being a church community is more challenging this year than in 2020. She shares the increasing divisiveness within her congregation regarding mask mandates, vaccination requirements, and politics in general. It has affected the community care, support, and love within her parish.
Rev. Felicetti said last year, things shut down, with worship changed, if it was held at all on a Sunday, with weddings and funerals canceled. This year, there is no uniformity on how, or even whether, to have worship services and other sacred events. So now, it is up to the priest to decide, and all the frustration is turned on her.
I am blessed to be part of the Presbyterian system, which holds the ordained elders in charge of a local congregation’s administrative decisions. Responsibility is shared. More than diversifying the blame pool, it is crucial for each person of faith to double down on their commitment to their congregation. Rev. Felicetti sounds like a strong pastor who is struggling without appropriate support.
We at Westminster are doing well thus far, but if the virus continues to mutate, the struggles will keep us from achieving whatever new normal is; our struggles may increase. It does not appear Thanksgiving and Christmas will be pre-March 2020 normal. Intentionally focus on remaining positive and grateful for what we still have, rather than mourning what we’ve lost, each of us remains blessed, whether we can attend Christmas Eve services with a mask or online. The true gift of Christmas is the new life that comes from Christ’s promise to be present with us now and always. The Christ-child will make all things new. With that hope, all our faith communities will journey through the desert and find their way home.
