Dear Church,
What a week it’s been! I’m so very proud of the staff and the people of Court Street United Methodist Church. This has been an unusual and challenging week, and you have responded with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. The Holy Spirit has been moving among us these last few days, creating sanctuary and community in all of the places where we dwell.
We are working to figure out what ministry looks like in this season of physical distancing. We will also work to keep you posted about events and changes in the life the church. Please note that we have reduced the on-campus time of all church staff. Melissa, our stellar secretary, will be working from home most of the week. Don’t be surprised or frustrated if nobody answers the phone. Melissa will be checking phone messages regularly, and we would appreciate if you would leave all of your messages in the general voicemail box, which will be checked more often than the boxes for individual staffpersons.
We would like to thank the people who made Sunday morning’s worship livestream possible. Alan Weamer on the organ, Rev. Christy with the children’s message, Vince Slocum with a deeply pastoral prayer, Celia Peters with the Scripture reading - you saw all of them on camera. You didn’t see two people who were instrumental in making that service happen: many thanks to Warren Cormicle for working the sound system, and to Ryan Pratt for serving as our cameraman and computer guru.
We appreciate your encouragement and constructive feedback about that first attempt at livestreaming. We have got some new equipment and software this week that we hope will make the experience even more user friendly. We hope to be able to broadcast to Facebook, YouTube, and our church website. Those with smart TVs and Roku-style devices will be able to join worship on the TV screen. We also hope to be able to put hymn lyrics on the screen so there’s no need to print a separate songsheet. Please pray for us as we figure out how to make all of this work!
Thanks to those who are giving through the church website, and thanks to those who have faithfully sent in offering envelopes. We are working to make it even easier to give. If you are able, please consider making an extra gift to Court Street UMC. We are investing in new equipment and software, believing that God will provide the resources and bring us out the other side of this challenging season with even stronger and more effective ministries.
One new tool for ministry we are going to employ during our weeks of physical distancing is an online service called “Zoom.” Zoom makes it possible to have virtual gatherings online through your internet browser. Participants can see and hear each other, and there is no need to download any additional software to your computer. This week we are going to try using Zoom for some of our regular gatherings. Check your email for links to the following events:
Wednesday, March 18, 6pm: Online Youth Group
Wednesday, March 18, 7pm: Virtual Potluck/Bible Study
Thursday, March 19, 10am: Online Coffee with Clergy
Thursday, March 19, 7pm: Bedtime Stories with Rev. Christy
Sunday, March 22, 6pm: Online Youth Group
Tuesday, March 24, 7pm: Bedtime Stories with Rev. Christy
Please know that we are working to care for those members of our church family who may be struggling with feelings of isolation. A handful of Court Streeters have volunteered to make regular phone calls, particularly to those who are homebound or living alone. We would love to have more Court Streeters making more calls to more people. If you’re willing to spend some time on the phone, keeping our church family connected, please respond to this message for further instructions.
Above all, Church, keep doing what you have been doing. Look for ways to love the people who are cooped up with you. Take lots of deep breaths. If you are able, participate in one of the many ministries that are helping people find the essentials (there’s still a food ministry happening at Asbury UMC, for example). Wash your hands, and do not be afraid. God is with us, everywhere!
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeremy
