AZDisciples.org

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

COVID-19

Nothing will be able to separate us…

Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  – Romans 8:37-39

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Saying goodbye to people or places we love is never easy.  We experience loss in so many ways – from death, to the loss of abilities as we age, to the loss of home and friends when we move — and it is never easy.  And I’m glad it’s not easy, because the grief we feel is a sign that the love was real.

Like many of you, I am grieving several losses this month.  I was SO looking forward to gathering us all together in October for our first full-Region in-person event since I arrived here two years ago.  That loss is symbolic of what we all share – loss of time with family and friends, loss of experiences, loss of community.

I am also grieving the immanent loss of one of our Region’s pastors:  Rev. Abigail Conley.  We celebrate with Abby as she moves to begin a new ministry in Lincoln, NE;  but we also grieve, losing a colleague and friend.  And although her partner Matthew Clark will remain as our Regional Ministry Administrator, thanks to the technologies of Zoom, email, air travel, and the like, we will miss his constant physical presence in the Region.

And I am also grieving the loss of one of our Region’s congregations:  Capilla del Sol Christian Church.   Capilla del Sol made the difficult decision to close their visible ministry as of September 19, 2021.  While I take comfort in knowing that I will maintain relationships with many of the wonderful people at Capilla del Sol who will become members at other Disciples congregations, I join with all of them and many of you in grieving the loss of one of our sister congregations.

Amidst all the loss, however, I take comfort in the words of scripture.  God made a covenant with the Israelites, promising to never forsake them.  Jesus promises to be with us always, until the end of the age.  And Paul emphatically states his conviction that NOTHING in all creation can ever separate us from the love of God.  When I read scripture, I KNOW that we will stay connected in God’s love.  Life is not permanent.  But God’s love is eternal and keeps us eternally connect to each other and to the Source of all being.   Praise be to God!

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President

We invite you to pray for the following congregations in the months of August and September. Visit our Regional Calendar of Weekly Prayers for our annual list.

August

29 – Chalice Christian Church as they enter a time of transition & Pastor Abigail Conley (and Matt) as she accepts a call to a congregation in Nebraska

September

5 – First Christian Church (Mesa) and Pastor Liz DeWeese.

12 – Foothills Christian Church (Glendale) celebrating the return of Pastor Bekah Krevens from sabbatical

19 – First Christian Church (Tucson) celebrating the return of Pastor Ailsa Guardiola-Gonzalez from sabbatical

26 – Coolwater Christian Church (Scottsdale) and Pastor Rick Gates

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

General Church Resource Page

Regional Gathering Postponed

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

The short version:  
We are postponing the Regional Gathering scheduled for October 2.  The new date will be January 15, 2022.

The more detailed version:
Several months ago, when most of us were getting vaccinated and it looked like in-person events would be safe this fall, we began planning a Regional Gathering as an event to celebrate.  We thought we would be beyond masks at that point and be able to celebrate with hugs and handshakes and lively interaction.  As the Delta variant has had many instances of “break through” infections, infections across our state are rising, and many of our congregations re-instating mask wearing and other safety precautions, we have decided that bringing 20+ congregations together for an in-person event does not seem as safe or celebratory as we had anticipated.  So we have picked a new date of January 15, 2022 in hopes that by then we will be able to host the event we envisioned.

If you have already registered for the Regional Gathering we will automatically apply your current registration to the January 15th event. If you would prefer, we can cancel and refund your registration. Please contact Matthew Clark (mclark@azdisciples.org) if you have questions or would like to cancel your registration.

In the meantime, we wish you health, safety, peace, justice, and an abundance of God’s love.
Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President
Christian Church in Arizona

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

General Church Resource Page

Thoughts on a New Year

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Whew!

2020 is behind us.  The presidential election and transition are behind us.  If only Covid was behind us!  I pray that many of you are getting vaccinated and soon we will be able to see each other in person again.

As I listened to the inaugural address last week, especially to the newly sworn-in president’s calls for unity, I thought to myself how we Disciples of Christ have been preaching unity since our very beginning.  The Disciples were part of a movement for unity.  “Christian Unity is our polar star” was one early slogan.  Today, we continue and expand our quest for unity by calling ourselves “a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”

I often tell people that Disciples of Christ are a great church “for such a time as this.”  In a world full of division and conflict, in a world that has forgotten how to treat each other with respect, the Disciples offer an open invitation to the table.   We invite all to come and eat, drink, serve, worship, discuss, pray, and learn together.  We might disagree about theological or political positions, we might even argue in Sunday School, but then we go into the sanctuary, sit next to each other in pews, serve each other communion, and go forth to serve the world.  Working together in unity is in our DNA.  The Disciples are a movement for wholeness, and we seek to help create a less fragmented world.

My friends, I invite you to stretch yourselves this year, to exercise your unity muscles.  I invite you to reach out to those you don’t know, to listen to viewpoints you don’t necessarily understand, to do your best to see the image of God that is in each one of us.  We ALL want there to be less conflict in the world.  Let us remember that we are called to BE the change that we want to see.

In eager expectation of seeing you all in person, Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

Arizona Regional Resource Page

General Church Resource Page

“Healthy at Church” document from the Christian Church in Kentucky

Rejoice! Special Day Offerings of Disciples Mission Fund

“And now let us bring forward our tithes and offerings.”

When I was a child, I never knew why the minister said “tithes AND offerings.”   I didn’t understand the difference. What’s the difference between a tithe and an offering?

Several years after serving as a pastor, I finally learned.  A “tithe” is the basic percentage of our income we give automatically, our reminder that all that we have comes from God.  Traditionally Christians have set this goal at 10%, but whatever percentage we choose, it is a good faith practice to automatically return a certain percentage of our income to God.

“Offerings,” on the other hand, or gifts we make “over and above” our tithe.  When we feel generous, when we get some extra money, when we find a cause we want to support, we make an offering – an extra gift. 

Within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition, congregations are primarily funded by tithes.  Church members pledge to give a certain percentage of their annual income to the church, often by filling out an “estimate of giving” card.  Then most congregations set their own tithe to the denomination through giving to the Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) which supports regional and general ministries. 

In addition to the “tithe” of giving a percentage of your congregation’s income to DMF, Disciples take up six “Special Offerings” each year.  These Special Offerings are over and above gifts to support our regional and general ministries.  The six offerings, in the order they are collected, are:

  1. Week of Compassion Offering, which funds emergency disaster relief and long-term development to overcome poverty
  2. Easter Offering, which funds the General church (Disciples of Christ) – our General Minister and President, Overseas Ministries, Homeland Ministries (youth, children, mental health, etc), and more.
  3. Pentecost Offering, which is all used to help start new churches – like Casa de Adoracion and Comunidad Limen Christian Church here in Arizona.
  4. Reconciliation Offering, which is used for Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation work
  5. Thanksgiving Offering, which is used for higher education – our colleges and seminaries
  6. Christmas Offering, which supports your Regional ministry.

Due in large part to the pandemic and the move to on-line worship, our Special Offerings have taken a big hit this year.  Although the Week of Compassion Offering, collected before the pandemic, was strong, the Easter Offering dropped over 60% in Arizona and 53% nationwide.  That drop means a profound loss in income for our denominational ministries. 

Every December, every Region works to remind congregations and individual members of the importance of giving to the Christmas Offering, as 100% of the dollars given to that offering support our Regional ministry and make up an important part of our Regional budget.   This year is no different – a large Christmas Offering will make a big difference for our Regional ministries.  But we also want to invite you to make a special year-end gift to the Easter Offering, or to any of the special offerings.  Disciples everywhere are working hard to do great ministry with limited resources, and we encourage you to give as generously as you can to support our collective work.

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

Arizona Regional Resource Page

General Church Resource Page

“Healthy at Church” document from the Christian Church in Kentucky

Above all, let’s treat each other with grace

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

“What’s the hardest thing about being a minister?” someone once asked me.  My response:  “Standing in the pulpit, looking out at the congregation, and seeing all kinds of different needs.”

One Sunday I looked out and saw a young couple with their newborn son, bringing him to church for the first time.  They were glowing, and I wanted to preach a sermon celebrating God’s goodness and the miraculous gift of life.

Right in front of them was another young couple, struggling to fight back tears.  I was the only one they’d told that they had just suffered a miscarriage and were grieving the loss of the future joy they’d begun to imagine.  They had come to church that morning seeking comfort and a place to grieve.  They got there early, told me their news, and sat down in a pew to pray – not expecting a couple with a newborn to sit right in front of them.

As I glanced around the sanctuary, I saw an older couple whose son had just been arrested, a man back in church for the first time since losing his wife, a middle-aged couple who had just gotten married, a few climate-change activists and a man who often shouts at them saying it is all a hoax, a woman running for the city council, dedicated to fighting for a living wage for all city employees, and a young person trying to own their transgender identity.  All these people came with strong emotions, looking to me for a word from God.  I had things to say to each of them – but it was hard to do it all at the same time.  Leading a congregation of people with different needs, different political beliefs, and different lifestyles can be a big, stressful challenge.

One of my Regional Ministry colleagues recently shared a study of pastors done by the Wisconsin Council of Churches which dealt with clergy stress.  It found that in the last 6 months, over 25% of clergy have considered retiring early or resigning.  Clergy have struggled with some members pressuring them to return to in-person worship while others have lobbied against.  Clergy have struggled to learn technology and produce on-line worship, often having to serve as their own technology specialist.  Clergy with children have had to figure out how to both work and take care of their congregation while at the same time managing their children’s school.  And like all of us, clergy are struggling with the tensions of living in a highly-polarized society.

COVID-19 has been hard on all of us.  I don’t mean to say that clergy have the most stressful jobs or are the only ones juggling work and home.  Life is stressful for all of us these days.  But I do ask you all to take a moment and think about your pastors.  If you are in a position to write them a card, take them a meal, or see if you can help with technology, I encourage you to do so.

Above all, let’s treat each other with grace.  Let’s recognize that life is stressful for all of us right now.  I once heard someone say: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”  So if you disagree with someone, if you want your pastor — or anyone — to make different decisions, it’s fine to talk with them.  But please do it with love, recognizing that they are a child of God seeking to do their best to navigate this journey of life.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay

Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

P.S. If you’d like to watch a detailed summary of the Wisconsin Council of Churches report, along with recommendations of how to be a healthier church, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jcXASF8Tq0&feature=youtu.be

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

Arizona Regional Resource Page

General Church Resource Page

“Healthy at Church” document from the Christian Church in Kentucky

The Many Flavors of Patience

Love is patient … 1 Corinthians 13:4

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

Recently I have had the privilege to listen in on Pastor Dave Hedgepeth’s on-going sermon series on the “Fruit of the Spirit.”  Paul’s list of the attributes of a Christian in Galatians 5:22-23 has long been a favorite of mine:  the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  If we allow the Spirit to work in us and through us, if we truly open ourselves to God’s Spirit of love, our neighbors will experience us as loving, joyful, peacemaking, and patient;  kind, generous, faithful, gentle, and in control of ourselves.  Would all of our neighbors describe us as such!

Today I am reflecting on the many flavors of PATIENCE.  I feel good when I HAVE patience, when I am able to let go of anxiety and just take the world as it comes, one day at a time.  As Jesus says:  So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

But I usually don’t feel good when someone tells me to BE patient.  Patience seems to work best when it comes from within, not when it is imposed upon us.  I think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words in response to being told to be patient, to wait, to not push society to change:  Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait.  But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity; when you see the vast majority of your 20 million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society; … then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over.

So what do we say about patience and the pandemic?  I know we want it to be over.  We are struggling with patience – some more than others.  But I hope we are not impatient with each other as we wait.  Every pastor in our Region, every board moderator, is feeling the stress of making decisions, knowing that some in the congregation want to meet again and some want to wait until the pandemic has subsided.  I pray that we can be gentle with each other as we seek to navigate this unwelcome situation.

 And I know that many of us hope that when it is over, we don’t just “go back” to how things were before.  Fifty-seven years have passed since MLK wrote about the stinging darts of segregation, hate-filled policemen, and the airtight cage of poverty.  I pray that we all have a holy impatience to transform our society into a community of God’s beloved where we value each one of us as a holy and precious divine gift, and where we all have a roof over our heads, food on our table, and the freedom to be ourselves.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

Arizona Regional Resource Page

General Church Resource Page

“Healthy at Church” document from the Christian Church in Kentucky

Still Called to be the Church in a Broken and Fragmented World

May 27, 2020

Greetings to all in the Love of Jesus Christ:

The Coronavirus continues to dominate the national news, and we grieve as it has now struck some of our Arizona congregations.  We ask for your prayers for the Arizona Disciples leaders and members who have tested positive for COVID-19.  We also ask for your prayers and support of all of our pastors and church leaders as they continue to navigate the conflicting information and guidance from health experts, the media, and the government.  I promise you that all of our church leaders are in prayerful study and dialogue about the best way forward, and I can assure you that they all need your support.

As we continue to do our part to defeat the coronavirus, I would also remind you that we are still called to be the church in a broken and fragmented world.  We,  as the church, need to continue battling the evils of poverty, racism, sexism, and all the other principalities and powers that keep God’s children in bondage. That is why I would like to personally invite you to join me, other Disciples leaders from all over the U.S., and Disciples of Christ pastor, and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Dr. William Barber, in a virtual “Moral March on Washington.” Rev. Barber has become one of the strongest moral voices in the nation.  Rooted in deep Christian principles, Rev. Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign seek a better world for ALL people.

The work of the church, and organizations like the Poor People’s Campaign, continues to be vital even in the midst of a pandemic. African-Americans are still being harassed and killed by white people.  Powerful men are still sexually harassing women. Our national immigration system is still hopelessly broken, making it virtually impossible for most people to immigrate “legally.”  And we are noticing that deaths from COVID-19 are disproportionately from black and brown communities, once again highlighting some major inequalities in our society.  Now, as always, it is time for the church to speak.

Dios les bendiga!

Pastor Jay
Regional Minister and President, Christian Church in Arizona

COVID-19 Resources for Congregations

Arizona Regional Resource Page

General Church Resource Page

“Healthy at Church” document from the Christian Church in Kentucky

If you would like to respond in this time by financially supporting the Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism work right here in Arizona and through the Reconciliation Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada you can give multiple ways:

  • Give a special gift to your local Disciples church and note “Reconciliation Special Offering” in the memo line. This special offering is typically received in congregations late September and early October, but can be given to at any time. Your congregation will send this gift to our Disciples Reconciliation Ministry which will be used partly here in Arizona, and partly throughout Disciples ministries in the United States and Canada.
  • Give online to Reconciliation Ministries via our online giving portal. Choose “Special Offering – Reconciliation Offering” to designate your offering. This gift will be shared with Reconciliation Ministries and Arizona Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism efforts.
  • Give by sending a check to 917 E Sheridan St. Phoenix, AZ 85006 with “Reconciliation Fund” in the memo line. The entirety of this gift will remain in Arizona for Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racism work in our communities.

We are thankful for your generosity and passion to dismantle systems and structures that perpetuate this sin of division within the Church.

A musical gift from the College of Regional Ministers

A Message from Regional Minister and President on Returning to In-Person Church Gatherings

Greetings, Arizona Disciples!

The short version:

We are encouraging churches to continue on-line worship and not to rush back to in-person gatherings.

The longer version:

We are obviously all getting mixed message from the federal government, state governments, health officials, and the media.  Some states are reopening, some are not. It is hard to know what to think, what to believe, and what to do.

I have been in regular communication with the College of Regional Ministers, the heads of several other denominations in Arizona, and have read more articles on “when to re-open the church” than I can count.  I am sending some of these articles to all Arizona clergy and congregations today, but here is a quick summary:

1. The College of Regional Ministers and the General Minister and President recommend that all of our churches remain on-line for the foreseeable future.  We are releasing a letter to that effect today.

2. The heads of most Arizona denominations are encouraging or insisting that none of their congregations meet in person.

3. Our National Hispanic Pastor Lori Tapia and the Obra Hispana are issuing a video today encouraging our congregations to continue worshiping on-line.

4. Gov. Ducey has extended the stay at home order to May 15, but we expect it will be
much longer before churches should fully open again.

5. All articles on re-opening churches suggest that phase 1 would include social distancing and super-safe practices, which would include:
·      Roping off pews or removing chairs to make sure no families were closer to each other than 6 feet
·      Everyone attending must wear a mask
·      No handshakes
·      No hugs
·      No physical communion
·      No passing of offering trays
·      No congregational singing – don’t want saliva droplets in the air
·      Deep cleaning and disinfecting before and after each service
·      A small worship crowd – so many church might have to offer multiple worship services, with a deep clean in between each service
I don’t know about you – but that doesn’t sound like what I’m looking for in a church experience.

6. Our best guess is that society will have to enter what they are calling “phase 3” before we
start meeting together in person again.

My friends, I assure you:   I wish I had better news.

And at some level, I do.

The good news is God’s promise that the darkness will end.  Weeping may linger for an evening, but joy comes in the morning.  The Bible makes no promises about how quickly the darkness will end.  It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and nights.  We can handle that – indeed, we’ve already passed 40 days of staying at home.

But the Israelites were in the wilderness for 40 YEARS!    And again, they were in Exile for 40 years.  We sure hope it doesn’t come to that point.  I am gaining new appreciation for these two major periods of suffering in Israelite history.  I hope we never read those stories too lightly again, neglecting the depth and power of their suffering – or the power of the message that no matter how long we suffer, God’s presence is always with us, God does not forget us, and God will bring us to the Promised Land in due time.  Because as much as the darkness tries to extinguish the light, the light keeps shining in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it.

My friends, hang in there.  Keep shining your light.  And in due time, we will cross the Jordan River and be together again.

Dios les bendiga.

¡Bendiciones, discípulos de Arizona!

La versión corta:

Estamos advisando a las iglesias a continuar con la adoración en línea y no apresurarse a volver a las reuniones en persona.

La versión más larga:

Obviamente, todos recibimos un mensaje mixto del gobierno federal, los gobiernos estatales, los funcionarios de salud y los medios de comunicación. Algunos estados están reabriendo, otros no. Es difícil saber qué pensar, qué creer y qué hacer.

He estado en comunicación regular con el Colegio de Ministros Regionales, los lideres de varias otras denominaciones en Arizona, y he leído más artículos sobre “cuándo reabrir la iglesia” de lo que puedo contar. Hoy envío algunos de estos artículos a todos los clérigos y congregaciones de Arizona, pero aquí hay un resumen rápido:

1. El Colegio de Ministros Regionales y el Ministro General y Presidente recomiendan
que todas nuestras iglesias permanecen en línea en el futuro previsible. Estamos enviando un
carta a tal efecto hoy.

2. Los jefes de la mayoría de las denominaciones de Arizona son alentadores o insisten en que ninguno de sus
las congregaciones se reúnen en persona.

3. Nuestro pastor hispana nacional, Lori Tapia, y la Obra Hispana están emitiendo un video hoy. Alentando a nuestras congregaciones a continuar adorando en línea.

4. El gobernador Ducey ha extendido la orden de estadía en el hogar hasta el 15 de mayo, pero esperamos que sea mucho más antes de que las iglesias se abrieran completamente de nuevo.

5. Todos los artículos sobre la reapertura de iglesias sugieren que la fase una incluiría distanciamiento social y prácticas súper seguras, que incluirían:
• Eliminando bancos o quitando sillas para asegurarse de que ninguna familia esté más cerca que seis pies
• Todos los asistentes deben usar una máscara
• Sin apretones de manos
• Sin abrazos
• No hay comunión física.
• Sin pasar de bandejas de oferta
• Sin canto congregacional: no queremos gotas de saliva en el aire
• Limpieza profunda y desinfección antes y después de cada servicio.
• Una pequeña multitud de adoración: muchas iglesias podrían tener que ofrecer múltiples servicios de adoración, con una limpieza profunda entre cada servicio.
No sé sobre ti, pero eso no suena como lo que estoy buscando en una experiencia de iglesia.
6. Nuestra mejor suposición es que la sociedad tendrá que ingresar a lo que ellos llaman “fase tres” antes de que nosotros comiencen a reunirnos en persona nuevamente.

Amigos míos, les aseguro: desearía tener mejores noticias.

Y tal vez, lo hago.

La buena noticia es la promesa de Dios de que la oscuridad terminará. El llanto puede durar una tarde, pero la alegría llega por la mañana. La Biblia no promete cuán rápido terminará la oscuridad. Llovió durante cuarenta días y cuarenta noches. Jesús estuvo en el desierto por cuarenta días y noches. Podemos manejar eso; de hecho, ya pasamos cuarenta días de estar en casa.

¡Pero los israelitas estuvieron en el desierto por cuarenta AÑOS! Y nuevamente, estuvieron en el exilio durante 40 años. Esperamos que no llegue a ese punto. Estoy ganando una nueva apreciación por estos dos grandes períodos de sufrimiento en la historia israelita. Espero que nunca volvamos a leer esas historias a la ligera, descuidando la profundidad y el poder de su sufrimiento, o el poder del mensaje de que no importa cuánto tiempo suframos, la presencia de Dios siempre está con nosotros, Dios no nos olvida y Dios lo hará. llévanos a la Tierra Prometida a su debido tiempo. Porque por mucho que la oscuridad intente extinguir la luz, la luz sigue brillando en la oscuridad, y la oscuridad nunca la superará.

Amigos míos, aguanten. Sigue brillando tu luz. Y a su debido tiempo, cruzaremos el río Jordán y volveremos a estar juntos.

Dios les bendiga.

Download the Video in English

Descarga el Video en Español

General Minister and President on Re-Opening Congregations

Dear Church:

We are in Eastertide, when we rejoice in the good news of the resurrection, and yet so much our journey still feels like the wilderness. I continue to pray for you as we walk through these days of distancing together.

This week, some state governments are beginning to lift stay-at-home orders and allow some businesses and industries to reopen their doors. These reopening conversations are understandably raising questions about how and when churches should resume in-person worship services. These are difficult decisions, but I want to encourage you, as difficult as it is, not to rush too quickly back. It is not yet time to gather for worship in person. Click Here to Continue Reading.

Regional ministers offer a word on re-opening congregations

As your Regional Ministry colleagues, we have listened carefully and prayerfully to the questions you are asking about when and how to meet again in person as the Church. We are asking many of the same questions…

We are aware that this is an unprecedented time of challenge and uncertainty. Even medical experts are not ready to declare that they understand fully how this very contagious virus works, the range at which it can spread, or how to enhance prevention with a vaccine. It has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of our neighbors and more than a million confirmed cases have been reported in the U.S. and Canada.

The disease does not discriminate but we can take steps to protect the most vulnerable among us.

First and foremost, we write to encourage you to be patient and take your time, and not rush back into full in-person activities before we are confident it is safe to do so. Click here to read the full letter.

“Healthy at Church” 

a document from the Christian Church in Kentucky

“6 Priorities You Church Must Have in Place Before Gathering in Person Again”

Article from fishhook.us

We Will Still be Church

Arizona Disciples,

May God’s peace and love surround you and your families during these days of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.  As we have been asked to no longer gather in person, I was inspired by the words of Saguaro Christian Church pastor Rev. Owen Chandler in the face of all the changes:  “WE WILL STILL BE CHURCH!”  Towards that end, we have created a new page on our site that will outline some of the ways that we will still be church. The webpage includes:

  • Modes of Regional Support
  • Plans for Regional Events
  • Advice for On-line Giving for your Local Congregation
  • Links to all Arizona Disciples websites/Facebook pages so you can worship and pray with each other
  • Helpful links from our national Disciples partnerships

I invite you to contact me with any needs, with information about creative and wonderful things you are doing, or just to keep in touch.  We are all making this up as we go, as none of us had a seminary course entitled “how to lead the church during a pandemic.”   But we know that God is faithful, that God loves us always, and that where two or three are gathered, even on a phone call or in a chatroom, Christ is in the midst of us.

Visit the new page by clicking here.

May God’s blessings uplift you now and always,

Pastor Jay

Links

Resources and Statements from Disciples Ministries

Disciples Families & Children Ministry- COVID-19: School’s Out!

Week of Compassion – Coordinating and Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Arizona Department of Health – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response

Regarding COVID-19

Greetings, beloved Arizona Disciples:

First of all, let me express my deep love for all of you and my wish that the peace and blessings of God’s infinite love comfort our spirits during this time of global anxiety.

Perhaps you, like me, have received an abundance of emails and news related to COVID-19.  I have been monitoring the conversations and advice of my regional ministry colleagues across the country as well as the leaders in several denominations within Arizona.

As of Wednesday, most of them planned to hold worship this Sunday, though most planned to follow basic guidelines about not shaking hands, serving communion differently, and directing people to stay home if they felt sick.

On Thursday, as major sports leagues and colleges began to suspend their seasons and semesters, many church leaders began re-thinking the wisdom of gathering for worship.  Many have cancelled, others are still debating, and some are still planning to have worship this Sunday.   Many of us have received calls from family members around the country whose churches have cancelled and worry about the health of their parents or grandparents who attend some of our churches.  No regional minister will say you HAVE to cancel, nor will any of them say you CAN’T cancel.  As Disciples, every congregation will decide for itself.

That said, several regional ministers have encouraged their congregations to think seriously about suspending normal worship and activities for at least the next two weeks.  Many realize that as they look into the future, if they regret the choice they made, they are more likely to feel regret for NOT having cancelled.  Nobody wants to panic or over-react.  But nobody wants to be exacerbate the spread of the virus by not taking prudent precautions.

I am sharing (see below) excerpts from three of my regional colleagues with advice they are giving their congregations, in case you find them helpful in reflecting on what decision to make.  In addition, to the right, you will find links to a lot of information from various parts of the church, the CDC, and the Arizona Department of Health.  Please note that there is an AZ Dept of Health Webinar this morning at 10:00 a.m. geared toward leaders of faith communities. Click here to join that webinar.

For those of you who will not be attending worship this Sunday, I invite you to join worship online – as we have one Disciples church which is a fully web-based church.  The link to their worship service is www.disciplesnet.org

I am grateful for each of you, and I wish you the best as we all continue to adjust to changes and wonder how long this will all last.  I invite you to stay in touch and look forward to seeing many of you via zoom at our regional admin council meeting tomorrow and our Pastor Rep sessions on Monday and Tuesday.

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Jay

Indiana Disciples encouraged to consider cancelling worship this week.

My friends,

Many in our church have contacted me seeking my counsel on how their congregation should respond to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and the recommendation that we should avoid large group gatherings. I met this morning with my counterparts in other faith traditions in Indiana and as a result of that conversation I want to recommend that our churches consider not holding their regular worship service this Sunday, and possibly future Sundays depending on the counsel of our state health department.

The cancellation of worship does not necessarily mean that all events in the congregation’s life should also be suspended. Food pantries that serve the poor may need to continue to provide support to our neighbors. Different decisions may need to be made regarding pre-schools and daycares hosted in our buildings, and other events that bring together smaller groups of persons.  But our worship life may unknowingly put some or all us at increased risk.

In making this recommendation I am persuaded by the words of former Indiana Disciples minister David Shirey, who now serves as Senior Minister of Central Christian Church, Lexington, KY who writes regarding his congregation’s decision to temporarily suspend their services:
Our rationale for these decisions derives from principles grounded in our faith mandate to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Simply stated, “In this circumstance, what does love require?”

1. Love requires us to protect the vulnerable.
This virus puts the elderly and people with compromised health conditions at special risk. Like me, our congregation’s senior members are motivated by a fervent desire and unwavering commitment to worship God together. I and they will make every effort, regardless of the risk or cost, to be present for worship, feeling guilty if we do not make such an effort. Cancelling corporate worship this Sunday and offering a service available for home viewing safeguards our most vulnerable and relieves the deeply ingrained impetus to worship weekly.

2. Love calls for us to seek the common good.
By voluntarily taking a sacrificial action such as cancelling corporate worship, we love our neighbors by doing our part to take an action that we hope will slow down the spread of the virus, thereby preventing as-yet-healthy persons from contracting the virus or making it easier for infected persons who may not yet know of the infection to spread it unknowingly to others.

3. Love calls for us to act in solidarity with persons of good will.
Heeding the Kentucky Governor’s request and heeding the best wisdom of public health officials, we join a community-, state-, nation- and worldwide coalition of concerted caring whose cooperative efforts will the well-being of all people.

4. Love calls for actions that minimize regret.
If we were to proceed with events or activities that lead to the infection of persons or the unwitting spread of the virus, we would rue the decision to proceed with “business as usual” when we could have chosen otherwise. Though it is debatable whether faith communities cancelling their services this weekend will indeed make a difference for the good, we can proceed with this decision knowing we did not choose to disregard or ignore this call for vigilance and caution.

Instead of gathering for worship as normal consider bringing your community together “virtually” by using Facebook Live streaming, Zoom, YouTube, or freeconferencecall.com You might also point your members to the weekly worship service that is provided by DisciplesNet, our on-line congregation. Their website is www.disciplesnet.org

If you decide to continue with worship services, encourage the most at-risk people in your congregation to stay home. That includes people over 60, people with heart, kidney, or lung disease, and those with chronic respiratory conditions.   And continue to practice the safe handling of communion and in your coming together minimize contacting and touching others.

You are encouraged to monitor the information about this virus at the Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we express our leadership in these extraordinary times. And we pray for the health and safety of all God’s children in every nation.

Each congregation has to make this decision on their own, but here are a few things to consider.

If you decide to continue with worship services, encourage the most at-risk people in your congregation to stay at home. That includes people over 60, people with heart, kidney, or lung disease, and those with chronic respiratory conditions. This alone may be enough to tip the scale toward cancelling your service.

Consider those in your congregation who, regardless of health conditions, feel like they have to be present if the church doors are open. Cancelling service this weekend may be the best way to offer them protection.

If you decide to continue with worship services, give extra care to how you prepare and serve communion. Sanitize all surfaces thoroughly, especially the surface of the communion table and the communion preparation area. Persons preparing communion should use nitrile or other gloves. Dispose of the gloves immediately after use.

Make sure you have hand sanitizer and wipes available.

I have received a few emails and phone calls asking about recommendations for worship services in light of the further spreading of the COVID-19:

Let me suggest this . . .
Mark 2:27 “Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath”

Be willing to adapt as needed and allow your members to adapt as well.  In general, what I am recommending is that we remember that the particular details and practices we use in worship (even communion for Disciples) are not what makes us the church or the Body of Christ.  Do what it takes to keep your members safe through cleaning, alternative practices, online options, and if local authorities recommend it, be open to postponing or canceling services/activities in the short-term as needed.

Here again are some good resources provided by our General Church Ministries: https://disciples.org/dns/disciples-and-covid-19/

Links

Disciples ministries statement concerning COVID-19

Disciples Families & Children Ministry- COVID-19: School’s Out!

Week of Compassion – Coordinating and Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Arizona Department of Health – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response

Arizona Department of Health Fri Webinar – COVID-19 Information Webinar for Faith-based Organizations and Social Services March 13, 2020 from 10-11AM

CORONAVIRUS ADVISORY from Southwest Conference UCC Minister, Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons