I was at the gym this morning with a handful of others, and in a few minutes we'll head to Trenton for in-person worship. Thank God for this curious "Green Zone"oasis we live in.
A year ago I followed the same pattern, asking at the desk of the YMCA if the facility was going to be closed due to the rise in COVID numbers and the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The young woman didn't have an answer. The number of worshippers was fewer than usual that morning, and while none of us wore masks we were told to keep our distance from one another. After the service the board decided to err on the side of caution and suspend services until Palm Sunday, two weeks down the road.
It turned out that neither the gym nor the church opened again for six months. In many Ontario communities it has now been a year since in-person worship. The membership at the Y is down 60 percent and at Trenton UC Sunday attendance is about the same, with 35-40 people in the sanctuary. We were closed for two months again, but feel fortunate to have been given permission to reopen.
Just like that, the way our world functioned changed dramatically, and even with the hopeful prospect of COVID vaccinations for the masses by Summer the way we live may be permanently altered. So much has been lost by so many, and we must acknowledge this with solemnity and compassion.
I am impressed that folk who feel safe to do so participate as in-person worshippers, along with those who do so virtually. Members of our congregation continue to be generous and the life of the church is surprisingly active, given the limitations. I'm leading a book study on the Sermon on the Mount with 16-17 souls from five congregations, some in person and others scattered across the province.
Where will all this go? God only knows, and we can take comfort that this is our hope rather than an expression of despair. I am praying that someone will give me the jab in the not-too-distant future.
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