A letter from Julie that was shared at worship on 09.20.2020

I’m not able to be with all of you today as I’m preparing for surgery tomorrow- a hip replacement- and limiting my exposure to people- my neighbors, my community. This is hard, and I ask that you please send your prayers my way. Please also consider this message of love, understanding and courage that I’m grateful to have shared on my behalf, as our church resumes indoor services.

In the wake of damage from the derecho, inspectors have made recommendations to replace the north and south windows and the carpet. This storm was unpredictable, and these replacements will be expensive, but we will come through it. We will follow the recommendations of these building experts because we value our shared and sacred space. We will make these adjustments to protect the safety of everyone who enters.

In the midst of this global pandemic, public health experts have made recommendations to help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Washing our hands, wearing a mask to inhibit the spread of aerosols, social distancing. Like the derecho, we didn’t predict the pandemic. It’s hard, it’s painful, and it’s taking a toll on all of us. But we will come through it together: by following the recommendations of these public health experts because we value our shared and sacred space. We will make these adjustments to protect the safety of everyone who enters.

It takes trust and humility to rely on the recommendations of experts for our safety and well-being. Even if it’s expensive, like the windows. Or painful, like a surgery. Or spiritually challenging, like not singing in church. Unlike the damaged windows and my hip (LOL), every person in this room is irreplaceable. But we will come through this together, with courage and respect for one another, and with attention to expert recommendations. It’s a commandment to love thy neighbor, not a recommendation. I love all of you, and upon my return to this shared and sacred space, I will humbly choose to wear a mask to protect the safety of everyone who enters.

With love,
Julie Schoville