Community

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COMMUNITY

With the current situation in our world and its’ effect on us, I could not get the idea of community out of my mind.  I did some research and found that there are 2,450+ synonyms for community.

In addition, within our own faith community (under “normal” circumstances) we come together and worship in community and we share a community meal (the Eucharist) which we call Holy Communion.

As we face the current known and unknown dangers that this virus causes, we are unable to physically come together as a community.  That doesn’t mean that we are not a community, it means that our community has temporarily been “reformed” and will come together virtually through online resources and for those who are not connected to the virtual world, we will come together by use of the telephone and the written word.

Currently, Father Terry is using the church Facebook page to “broadcast” prayer services.  Our Bishop will be celebrating “virtual” Sunday Eucharist services broadcasting on the internet from the Cathedral.

I recently attended an online meeting with the Bishop and many of the clergy of the Diocese.  This was a community and we were able to share concerns and ideas.  We learned that in another Diocese, their Bishop decided that on the first Sunday that churches can reopen for worship, Easter will be celebrated.  Bishop Stokes said that was a great idea and the Diocese of New Jersey will also do that.  So until we come together to celebrate Easter, know that you are all in my prayers.  

Deacon Rich

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