My alleluia for the day is technology, specifically technology that enables me to not only speak with, but see on a screen, the faces of people I love. Every evening I spend a few minutes sharing some sort of story with my two youngest granddaughters via WhatsApp. It “does my heart good,” as my grandmother would say.
Two days ago, the Woodstock Ministers’ Association met via Zoom (an app that enables multiple people to be on a live video call at the same time). We meet about once a month for lunch at hosted by one of our churches, and those have been helpful connections for our mutual ministry. With the onset of COVID 19 and the cancellation of the Woodstock community weekly Lenten Services and Lunch each Tuesday, we decided to meet this past Tuesday on Zoom from 12 – 12:30. I sorely needed to talk with other pastors! To a person, each one of us wants to keep meeting this way at least through Easter. I had no idea how much I missed them!
Last evening, I tried the same thing with Sacred Season (the monthly gathering for women in the second half of life we began in January). In the midst of technological challenges, there was joy in seeing each other face-to-face. One lady mentioned that she’d been looking forward to it all day! What a blessing to see each other face-to-face. When Jacob met his brother Esau after years of separation, he said, “to see your face is like seeing the face of God.” (Gen. 33:10)
At the end of our conversation last evening, one of the ladies said, “Let’s everyone call one.” That was a lightbulb moment! It would do our hearts good, and do the hearts of other good, to call someone different each day, just to check in and touch base. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10)
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to gather virtually, and don’t miss Sunday worship, which will be available on our website this Sunday morning. You can access it anytime.
“Everyone, call one.” That’s going in my alleluia basket as well as a picture of my cell phone.
Blest be the ties that bind!
Anne
Wayfinding 