(Each Saturday, a faith leader offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
The “new normal” … this is said almost like a dirty word these days, but is it really a bad thing? Was everything in our world, in our lives, in our churches, perfect before this virus took hold? That’s not the way I remember it from six months ago.
We are all living in a time of great uncertainty. Will the kids go back to school? What will that look and feel like? How long will it last? Will our churches re-open? Will we be able to visit our grandkids soon? How will this virus change our economy, the way we work, play and worship?
Definitely, in this moment, there are more questions than answers … more unknowns than knowns. But you know what? Our basic needs haven’t changed. We still all need food, shelter and community. And if you are blessed to be able to read this newspaper in printed or digital form, your needs for shelter and food are likely more or less met. But what about your need for community?
Where are you connecting with others during this time? Traditionally, in times of crisis or distress, the church is the place that flings wide its doors and encourages the community to gather. Church is the place that invites you in when you don’t feel safe, or feel like you don’t belong anywhere else. For those of us who regularly attend a church, it is the place where we find family, connection, comfort and encouragement.
As a pastor, the majority of my community is found in church. Church is the place where I find peace, where I enjoy deep, meaningful conversations, where I explore the bigger questions of life with others and where I am re-charged and filled up with love by the people and my God.
But right now, no one is meeting — not churches, not clubs, not sports teams. But we are still community people. All of us still need connection and perhaps in this moment we need more support and love than usual. Many of us need to feel grounded. Where can we go to find meaning?
Well, all of us are online. And churches have moved online, too. (If we are smart, churches will always be online as well as in person going forward, but that’s another article!) Have you wondered what it would be like to go to church? Have you wondered if “church people” are friendly and whether you would feel comfortable there?
If so, now is the perfect time to “go” to church. Many churches are offering online messages each week and some are even offering online book groups, Zoom conversations, Facebook groups, drive-through meals and puzzle swaps, and more. People tend to think of churches as behind the times, but we are catching up out of necessity! And now it is possible to check out a church, their offerings, their pastor and their beliefs without the discomfort of showing up at first.
I can assure you that churches have always been full of real people just like you and me. All of us are seeking to make sense out of our lives and to discover our own purpose here in this world. All of us want to know that we are loved, and church can be a place where we are reminded of the love of God and of the fact that God’s love is a constant in a time of change.
There is no need to be lonely. God’s love surrounds you even now … and a message of hope and a community of caring people are only a click away.
Athol Congregational Church, UCC is a local community of faith that is “small enough to know you, large enough to serve.” We are currently offering creative “on location” online messages, available under the “sermon” link at atholcongregationalucc.org, and these are not your typical “in the sanctuary” recorded services. Our pastor and our members are available for conversation in our Athol Congregational Church Facebook group, and through private messages, and we would love to connect. We offer long-distance Reiki through our certified practitioners, are willing to pray with you whatever your need, and want to know you, whoever you are.
1225 Chestnut St., Athol. 978-249-6202. Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden, Senior Pastor