Holy Conversations
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
-Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew 18:20
Like so much scripture, this passage is often taken out of context. In the Gospel, Jesus is describing community disagreement and how to address it. If you’ve tried other options, come together, Jesus encourages, and have open, honest conversation.
These last several weeks, as transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant of has plateaued in Whatcom County, our church leadership has been wholeheartedly discussing ways to begin returning to more in-person gatherings. Our whole-self health—mind-body-emotion-spirit—needs community, and many of us are longing to see one another face-to-face. Yet what is the best way to make that happen? We weigh options that are safer (regarding COVID) in balance with our faith identity committed to Christ’s extravagant welcome. We look to the needs of vulnerable elders as well as the needs of teens and families of young children who have struggled with mental health and overwhelm. We listen. We pray. We deliberate. We pray again.
On Sunday Church Council came together, with guests from around the congregation, to do all of this—and Jesus was there among them! Our Church Moderator, Bill Henkel, shared background on several possibilities for how we might re-gather in person, and then he invited all of us to offer different perspectives on the how, what, why, and more. Conversation was thoughtful and faithful. We heard big picture and deeply personal sharing. The whole group listened well. Afterward several attendees mentioned that they’d come to the meeting with a particular position about what we should do, and throughout the conversation their minds were changed over and over.
This is the power of coming together for conversation, “for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” It’s one of the reasons why we don’t have absentee balloting for meetings (Council, Boards, or Congregational Meetings), because the Spirit moves in our speaking and listening. We are moved.
Council did not come to a conclusion about how to regather in-person on Sunday. Rather, they discerned that we’d take a week of prayer and consideration of all that we heard. When we meet again on Monday, we will listen for the Spirit urging us forward for this moment, and we will hopefully find ourselves in close consensus.
Our congregation continually inspires me in the tough conversations. I give thanks for the thoughtful, prayerful consideration by our Council and all of you. Thank you for your ministry.
In faith,
Pastor Sharon
