Message from the Deacons, November 2020

Dear Friends,

I write these words on the morning of Election Day 2020 and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I ardently pray that God will watch over our nation and its people and help us return to being our best selves – people who seek unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt, love rather than anger, order rather than chaos. It is a tall order, even for God.

During the past two weeks, I’ve found it to be both a privilege and a comfort to join with the Deacons in reconnecting with each member of Congregation. Talking with you and hearing about how you are managing the complexities of being more isolated and restricted in work, family, and school activities has been inspiring. Your readiness to help us identify and refer those who might need our assistance is remarkable. Our Benevolence Fund has been invaluable.

Like many of you, being a part of this Church Community – even with the limits imposed by the virus – has helped me weather the past eight months and prepare for the difficult months still to come. I must admit that having our baby grandson with us all this time has also been a joyful reminder of how splendid God’s creation truly is and how fortunate we humans are to be renewed by each new generation and each new season. The arrival of this year’s first snow fall – illuminated by Halloween’s “Blue” Moon – and coupled with the joyful sight of flocks of songbirds clamoring for perches on our recently-hung bird feeders lifted my spirits, deepened my sense of wonder and cheered my soul. Faith is renewed. Hope springs eternal.

I’m doing my best to take the long view, as we move through election week, towards Thanksgiving and then the season of Advent. May our anxious hearts and minds be calmed, as we pause to renew our faith in humanity, offer gratitude for the gift of life, and begin the time of watchful, hopeful waiting for Jesus’ birth.

Scripture and poetry are full of inspiring words about hope. Emily Dickinson offers some of my favorites:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops – at all.

Blessings to All,

Lorna Duphiney Edmundson, Chair, Board of Deacons, November 2020