So, how are you coping? I’m doing ok – most days. I had a bout of vertigo for a couple of days. Miserable thing. Better now, thank you. Lack of sleep (waking at 3 or 4 am and thinking of ways for us to stay connected, or what needs to be done for worshiping in new ways, etc) and stress, I believe, are the culprits. Working from home since stay at home order. Cancellation of Guatemala trip. Cancellation of Southwest Conference Annual Meeting in April. Cancellation of work to upgrade pastor’s study. Wow!
We all are facing many day-to-day challenges. We are all learning new ways to be church. We are learning new ways to be in the world. We are learning new ways of trying to live well.
I’m loving some of the humor I find on Facebook, as well as some of the wisdom.
Posts that encourage us or lift us up or those that let us feel connected are the ones I embrace most.
All of the negative stuff and criticism and blaming I actively ignore. We can even close the door to that type of stuff by simply “unfriending” or “unfollowing” those voices. Taking a Lenten media Sabbath works well, also.
This is certainly a time for us to be our best, to do the best we can, and to encourage and support one another. This doesn’t mean we don’t have anxiety, or fears, or that we don’t fall into that pit of discouragement. But it does mean we walk through our days as best we can. Every day brings new challenges but we can be comforted by the fact that God walks with us, and that we are all in this together. We will get through this with new understandings of ourselves, our neighbors, and the world we live in. A quote from Eric Walters on Facebook resonated with me: “Crisis doesn’t change people: it reveals them.” We are all doing the best we can one day at a time. Some days may be better and some days not so much. And we still get up the next day and try our best, again.
Together While Apart
Bruce Weber suggested a banner for these days – you will be seeing it in a variety of places in the future. The title is: Together While Apart. These times sure do reflect that reality. We will continue to be together while apart via zoom as we gather for worship on Sunday mornings.
Elders
Elders have been asked to take on an important role during this time. They have already checked in with you and are your go-to person for concerns/questions/etc. They are also aware of those who do not have internet or computers and will make every effort to connect with you.
Three New Features that help us to stay Together While Apart as communication continues to be essential during this time. See complete details of these projects below. Please be patient as we work out kinks that will arise as we launch these new projects.
As always and more so now, let us please hold each other in prayer. The following caught my attention this week posted on Clergy Coaching Network.
At my lowest: God is my hope
At my darkest: God is my light
At my weakest: God is my strength
At my saddest: God is my comforter
Blessings,
Donna
Virtual Community Bulletin Board
First Christian Church Las Cruces Private Facebook Page
Separate but Together is the challenge for these days. How about our own private Facebook page? In a private page we can post what’s on our hearts and minds. We can use poems, prayers, music, art. We can post if there is an immediate need that someone else may help us with.
This virtual community bulletin board, however, is not a place to rant, blame others, nor a place to post prayer requests. It is a place to stay connected with your church community in the hopes of primarily bringing a bit of laughter and cheer, encouragement and hope. Laura Bever is the admin person overseeing this project.
The invitation will go out to you via an email blast. Just follow the easy steps to join. To ensure privacy, only members and friends listed in our directory will be part of this Facebook community.
We reviewed a few other ways to have a virtual community bulletin board and chose Facebook Page because of the added security and privacy it offers.
What if you do not have a Facebook page? That is an issue, but perhaps you have a friend who can share with you what is being posted? Perhaps that friend could also help by posting something you’d like to share? Or, you can sign up for your own Facebook page.
Essays on Life since Coronavirus
What are your experiences during since learning about Coronavirus? How has it impacted you? What have you learned about yourself, others, this community and time? You are welcome to share your experiences and share them via this essay format.
Depending on how many we receive, we may be posting essays once a week.
Remember, it’s an essay, not a sermon.
BRIDGING THE GAP: ZOOM COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
WEDNESDAYS FROM 10:OO AM – 11:00 AM
Starting Wednesday, April 1st (NO FOOLING!) we can bridge the gap of not gathering in person as we gather together via zoom. This bridging will continue after Donna Leaves and Bethany begins her ministry at First Christian Church.
