Fully Seen

photo courtesy of Emerson Lima, Unsplash

​The Apostle Paul wrote, in 1 Corinthians 13… “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 

These verses came to mind recently as I was at church and saw some faces from our church community that I have not seen in person for a few months. It feels, often, that video conferencing is a dim representation of the actual joy and goodness that it is to be gathered together, in person. While I am incredibly thankful for this technology that has kept us connected, it is no replacement for “being known, face to face.” There is a holiness to us gathering that I deeply miss. And I know so many of you do as well.

As we look to next Sunday (the 31st) and our Annual Meeting, we will be utilizing Zoom to conduct our congregation-wide business. We will hear from and read an overview of 2020, pass a budget for 2021, and spend some time looking to the year ahead. As part of passing the budget, we will be asking the congregation to consider a constitution change. It is a decision we need to make together. And while this year has made us feel separated, there is still so much that is keeping us connected and moving forward together as a congregation.

In the next week, if we haven’t seen you online, we will be calling you to see how we can get you connected via Zoom. Technology has the potential to separate us as a community—especially if we are not online regularly or are uncomfortable with the technology.

Please, if you are reading this and know that a Zoom meeting will be a challenge for you, reach out to me ([email protected]) so we can ensure you are part of it. And, if you are eager for this meeting or know you will attend please also reach out to other members to encourage them to come. 

In addition, if you want a “gentle” introduction to Zoom, join us this Sunday at 11:15am during coffee hour. We can split into separate meeting rooms and walk you through the way to use it.

For now, as Paul wrote, we have to (get to?!) deal with these kinds of unique and sometimes difficult ways of being church. We are hopeful that we might find new and fun realities about Annual Meetings via Zoom (like voting in our PJ’s with coffee in hand!).

Rev. Sara