I received an email from the Director of Spiritual Health at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Tim Park, on Monday of Holy week. The hospital is facing an uphill battle with Covid-19 and they need masks, hundreds of them, to fight the good fight. Tim asked if our Knit Wits would consider making masks for EJCH. I reached out to Brenda Thompson, a member of the Knit Wits and an elder on our Session with the request. Within minutes Brenda responded. By Thursday a group from JCPC made and delivered 25 masks and promised more were on the way. I delivered them to EJCH.
During our Solace Zoom meeting on Easter morning we examined two of the resurrection stories; one from Matthew and the other from John. Working together as a group we discovered the dynamics of fear, grief, and the hope of starting over. In times like these where fear and grief seem to be ever-present, the gospel speaks of hope, the hope of starting over through the resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord.
As a group we discussed what we were missing this Easter and we spoke of what we hope for going forward in our starting over resurrection faith. Sharon Shuler mentioned that she hoped that we would be more kind and helpful to each other. I mentioned how JCPC Knit-Wits and others were already doing just that by making the masks. In fact, groups from Johns Creek United Methodist Church and Johns Creek Baptist Church are making masks. Also, I posted Tim's request on the Montvale Ladies Facebook page, my neighborhood, and immediately women were volunteering to make masks.
Could it be that the hope shared through the making of masks is spreading faster than the virus?!!
In light of the empty tomb, I wouldn't look past this possibility. God is working to make all things new.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
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