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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
-Joshua 1:9
As most of you already know from recent emails and letters, your JCPC Session approved a return to in-person, non-masked (for the vaccinated), non-socially distanced worship, as well as the starting up of other church activities. That is the big news from the Session meeting. Now I wish to share some other thoughts.
At one of our past JCPC men’s retreats, those attending studied how change is inevitable, how change will happen, and what tools we have to better live with change. It seems that our Session is always guiding our church through changes and boy is there a big change happening now! In person worship -- sitting next to each other without masks for the vaccinated -- is huge. The speed of change is always a contentious point. Some want change right now. Others want to ease into it. Still others are opposed.
For the past year and a half, our Session and church leaders have tried to balance these three speeds against the safety of our members and those most vulnerable to the virus. Returning to the communal worship of our God has been the goal. Continuing our outreach and fellowship during the restrictions has been the goal. Session strived to find common ground. Not everyone was pleased with our decisions. The JCPC Session is a group of your Christian peers and we are doing the best we can to balance all the issues.
Bottom line -- we are excited to begin worship in-person. And we will continue to give you options as to how quickly you wish to return to communal worship. I urge you to find your “virus comfort zone” and join in at your own pace as Sunday school classes and worship groups return to weekly in-person meetings. We are also investigating hybrid zoom and in-person meetings as some options.
Although we all know change will occur, one thing that the Bible teaches is that God’s love for his people is unwavering and that he is with us always through our trials and joys. He wants our actions and thoughts to mirror his, to the best of our abilities, and he is there to help us as we try. Join us and celebrate his love and commitment to us as we emerge from the virus restrictions.
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