All Souls Sunday Worship, May 31
Sunday Worship Materials
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Greetings Beloved Community,
It’s been a few weeks since we shared any updates on the status of our church life during this Covid-19 season. Currently, there are no logistical changes, though, as you know, things are constantly changing. For now, we will continue to gather virtually via Zoom and practice physical distancing. Behind the scenes we are working on plans for various stages of “open” so that as things evolve we can move forward safely and with concern for the most vulnerable at our center. We are participating in regular calls with Governor Polis who has gathered a committee of faith leaders to help him address the particular issues facing faith communities. We are looking forward to their recommendations.
As each phase changes we will share guidelines for gatherings of official All Souls events. We will communicate regularly with you all as we learn of changing regulations, best practices and have developed plans.
We know that many of us are already experiencing the challenge of making constant decisions about who to gather with and how much vigilance is required in each situation. These tensions will certainly arise within our church community as well. As they do we ask that we each extend deep grace to one another and continue to hold our unity as a high value.
As we prepare for changes around what we can do, we want to share some values that will help guide how we will move forward together. These adopted values are helping our leadership shape our decisions together and we ask that you as part of this community please spend some time with these values and consider how you might adopt them as well.
Values for Community Life during Pandemic
Adapted from Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey
Guided by the Spirit
We will engage in discernment and prayer, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, and listening deeply to one another.
Focused on safety, especially for the most vulnerable
We will abide by all public health recommendations, mandates, and guidelines. Remembering the words of 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek their own good, but the good of their neighbor.”
Inspired by our Mission Statement
We will seek to embody our highest shared intentions, which have been expressed in our church’s mission statement to Cultivate Beloved Community for the good of all.
Committed to Excellence… and mindful of limitations
We will recognize and honor that while we are all “in the same storm”, we are not in the same boats. Every member of our community (church members and staff, young and old) is experiencing varying degrees of distress, uncertainty, trauma, and disappointment. We will absolutely do our best to serve this congregation with energy, creativity, and faithfulness - and we will give one another grace when our “pandemic best” is not equivalent to what we are capable of doing in normal times.
Rooted in relationships
We will seek to show up for one another. While a ministry of embodied presence remains largely out of our grasp, we will pour our energies into making genuine personal connections with our community. We will employ all available technologies and, when possible and permissible, physically distanced in-person visits.
Grounded in hopeful realism
We recognize with sorrow that some ministries - even cherished ones - cannot be recreated in this context. We will not give into despair, but neither will we dabble in empty idealism. Rather, we will proceed with intentional openness, exploring new models of ministry. We will hold plans for the future lightly, trusting God’s promise to the exiled Israelites: “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “Plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
We continue to be so very thankful for you all. You are showing that this church has always been a community of people and not a building. Thank you for your grace for us and each other. Thank you for caring for one another and for our city. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our staff.