This image from Facebook (Thanks Kathleen) could have been the theme of the Lent Retreat led by Canon Lee Curtis. We had time to consider as individuals and as a group what some of the positives and not so positives were from the past year. Then we had the opportunity to really think about what good things we want to carry forward as life, esp. in the church, moves on.
You can watch the Saturday intro to the retreat, and learn about Canon Lee Curtis here: https://youtu.be/xOjED8UfAZA
The Saturday retreat is available here: https://youtu.be/flebiWyvvqA
Canon Lee first asked us to consider what has changed in our personal lives over the past year, what we'll want to keep, and what we won't. The responses were surprisingly positive. We've seen that we can be part of a broader community via technology (Zoom, etc.) and we should not lose that. There has been a surge of intentional reaching out and connecting with friends, family, church members, and others which certainly needs to continue. We've become aware of respecting our space and other's personal space in a new way; and found an empathy for those with chronic issues or who are unable to get out.
As we discussed these things, we also considered how our spiritual lives have been impacted by the pandemic. Many have been expanding their church attendance to more than one service on a Sunday and during the week. We have mourned the fact that we cannot fully grieve the loss of friends and family because we cannot have memorial services. The intimacy of meeting online has surprised us, but also made us feel that we know more about one another since we've been 'in' other's homes.
On Saturday afternoon we considered how do we return to church and a new normal. Canon Lee noted that we have an unprecedented opportunity to reflect on and reset our ministries and worship and to decide what really is essential. We can ask ourselves what we really want to resume, and what may no longer by valid, needed, or viable. There was a lot of discussion about the way the church needs to become more visible within our communities, serving via Food Pantries, special services, other outreach. As Canon Lee noted, when people see Christians really acting like Christ, they are more willing to listen to what we have to say about our Lord.