Making Commitments, Keeping Promises

Dearly Beloved Friends,

On June 28, we will celebrate Confirmation Sunday at 11AM with our first in-person gathering of less than 50 people. Those 50 persons will consist of the confirmands, their immediate families, and mentors. Of course, the dream team and ushers (who will undergo training next week) will be present. Our six sixth graders have waited patiently for this day, which was originally scheduled for March 29. How fitting that we slowly and carefully resume in-person gatherings with these young leaders making a public commitment to the future of our congregation and the larger Church.

One of the questions the confirmands will have to answer is: Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

As we have witnessed the evil, injustice, and oppression of racism brought to a new light in protests across the nation, this question and its answer carries a heavier weight. Along with our six brothers and sisters being confirmed, will we make a new commitment to become anti-racists? How will we keep the promise we are renewing with them to take action against what grieves the heart of God? Let us meditate on these questions and our responses.

In our local context, we are also making commitments and keeping promises for your safety and well being. July 5 will be the first Sunday that you will be invited to “sign up” to worship in-person. Marc Stewart has organized a user-friendly reservation system that Julie Gray will oversee. While we are starting with one service and 50 people, the hope is that we will be able to increase those numbers in the future. More information on that system will be available in the letter we are sending to you this week. Please read it carefully & in full when it arrives for more information. We will also be sharing another pastoral/congregational address to walk you through the details.

As the apostle Paul said so well in his closing blessing to the Corinthians , “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:13)

all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

Highlights from Pastoral Address

If you were not able to tune in for the pastoral address last Thursday night on Facebook or You Tube, here is a summary of the highlights. The video is still available on both platforms for you to watch at your convenience. The task force and I met on Sunday to finalize a plan for regathering, and all church members and constituents will receive a letter in the next two weeks with instructions for when we regather.

You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. ~ James 3:18 (The Message)

This verse of Scripture summarizes the reasoning behind our slow and thoughtful approach to regathering. We want to be a healthy community, which means we will do everything possible to keep you healthy! Here are a few things to expect when we regather:

• We will only meet at 11AM for worship with a maximum of 50 people. Because of this limit, not everyone who wants to come will be able to do so on the same Sunday. We’re working on a plan of how best to do this.

• We will not be able to offer children’s church, a nursery, small groups, or Sunday school classes yet.

• Masks will be required for everyone in attendance. If you do not have one, we will provide one for you.

• Frequently touched objects like hymnals, pencils, and envelopes have been removed from the sanctuary.

• Ushers will meet you at the designated entrances, show you to your seat, and let you know when your row can leave.

• Some pews will be marked off not to use to ensure physical distancing.

Be on the lookout for more information, and eventually a date, for when we will regather. Thank you for being such a wonderful church, which includes but is not limited to a building!

all good things to each of you,

Dr. D.

What We Need To Know: Replacing “When” With “What”

Dearly Beloved Friends,

I now have a better understanding of what Paul, Peter, James, John, and other leaders of the early Church experienced when they wrote letters to various congregations. They were separated geographically from people whom they loved, and they had so many words of grace, love, and instruction to say in so little space.

It is in that same spirit of longing that I write this modern-day pastoral letter to you with an invitation. Many of us are asking the question of, “When?”

When can we come back to the church building?

This is the question that pulled up a virtual chair at the virtual table of our task force’s meeting last week. After prayerful discussion, we made the decision not yet to set a date for in-person gatherings in our church building. As we talked I realized the question we have been asking and need to continue asking is “what” before we ask “when.” I cannot emphasize enough the volume of decisions that we still need to make and implement before we can begin offering in-person gatherings again.

Because this space is limited, I want to issue an invitation for you to learn more. This Thursday, May 28, at 6PM, I’m going to record from the sanctuary a pastoral address that goes into more detail about (a) what needs to be done before we can regather and (b) why those decisions matter. We will be on Facebook Live at that time, but the video will be available for you to watch at your convenience on Facebook and You Tube. We’ll also put the contents of the video into writing for next week’s newsletter.

What might you do? Pray. Then, pray some more. And when you think you’re done, remember the Scripture that said, “pray without ceasing.” It was the plea of a pastor named Paul writing to a congregation he longed to see. And let us not forget that one Pentecost morning, while God’s people were praying, the Holy Spirit arrived with fresh power. Let us be such a prayerful people!

all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

A Word from Our Staff Parish Chair and Pastor

Bishop James Swanson, Sr. and the Cabinet of the Mississippi Conference, during the Appointment Sessions, worked prayerfully together to appoint clergy to every church in our Annual Conference. As Chairperson of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, I give thanks for the ministry of our pastor, Rev. Dr. Darian Duckworth, who has been a servant leader among us. It is my pleasure to announce that our pastor is reappointed to serve for another year. We ask for your prayers for her.
Dr. D, as we know her, as been a true leader during the trying times we have faced so far in 2020. More so than ever, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our entire church staff. Julie, Gail, Rachel, Kyle, Polly, Jace, Ron and Paul have done a tremendous job ensuring that our church continues to be a functional and vital part of all of our lives. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as move to our new “normal”.
Let us pray:
“Lord Jesus Christ, our Living Savior, we give you thanks for out church. It is a gift of grace to us. We are deeply grateful for the leadership of Rev. Darian Duckworth who has served us as pastor, teacher, leader, and friend in Christ. May your grace be upon her and her family in the spiritual adventure that lies ahead. As she continues as our pastor, we pray for her. May your grace abound in her life, giving peace, joy, and confidence in this continuing journey. May we remember to lift up the churches and pastors throughout Mississippi that share this time with us. Empower us to fulfill your mission of making disciples as WE serve you. AMEN”

Sincerely, Chris Jester, Chairperson Pastor Parish Relations Committee

I give thanks for the leadership of our staff-parish relations committee and the opportunity to serve alongside you for another year! I also wanted to echo what Chairman Chris Jester has said about the wonderful work of our church staff during this crisis. Much of their work has been unseen, and if I were to list everything that they’ve been doing to keep our church actively connected and engaged, this newsletter would not be sufficient space.
To Julie, Gail, Paul, Ron, Rachel, Kyle, Polly, and Jace: from the bottom of my heart, thank you for the faithful, good work that you are doing. I am honored to be a part of our team for another year!
all good things to each of you,

Dr. D.

Three Things To Know: The Heart of Worship

Last Friday, Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. shared guidelines for “incremental reopening of congregational in-person gatherings.” I love that title. For the past eight weeks I’ve tried to avoid the phrase, “reopening church,” because church has not closed. When the building does reopen for us to gather in person, church will look very different, but our heart has not changed. Our heart is the worship of our Lord Jesus.

The task force, staff, and I are reviewing these detailed guidelines to ensure that when we can gather again, we will do so safely and carefully. I do want to share with you three things the task force has already discussed.

1. Digital Presence and Virtual Worship: Even when we are able to regather in-person for worship, we want to continue offering the service through Facebook Live, You Tube, and perhaps other platforms. We want to improve on our media and equipment so that we not only keep our digital presence but also enhance it.

2. Worship Gathering as First Priority: When we do regather, at first the only in-person gathering will be the worship service. We hope to resume eventually both worship services with the 11AM service broadcast on radio and Facebook Live. Small groups, Sunday school, and other fellowship groups will remain digital until after the worship service gatherings run smoothly.

3. Guidelines and Precautions: When we do regather, we will have strict guidelines to follow to keep everyone safe. Change can be hard, especially in a space as sacred as our sanctuary, but change will be necessary. Know that these precautions are rooted in a love of God and neighbor, and we will share more with you in detail in the weeks to come.

What can we do as a congregation in the meantime? Pray! Spend time with the Lord and give thanks for his blessings. Ask for his guidance as we continue to navigate the COVID 19 crisis. And don’t forget you can still send your virtual selves to the sanctuary!

all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

The Prayer of Paul Thorn

One of my favorite, unconventional theologians is a singer-songwriter from Tupelo who also grew up the son of Pentecostal ministers. If you’re not yet familiar with Paul Thorn, I encourage you to look up some of his music. I’ve referenced him in sermons and even used one song’s lyrics as a benediction occasionally. He’s funny and honest and effortlessly insightful.

Though his genre is a mix of country, rock, blues, gospel, and Americana, his faith-filled heritage and questionings are an undercurrent in his music. Though I doubt he would call some of his songs, “prayers,” there are hints of conversing with God in his lyrics. One in particular is titled, “I Hope I’m Doing This Right.”

The more I learn, the less I know.
The more I change, the more I grow.
I pray the road I’m traveling on
Will lead me to the light.
God, I hope I’m doing this right.

Have you thought or prayed something similar recently? I know I have! Crisis causes us to learn and to change, and some days we have lots of decisions to make. From government leaders to health care providers to educators and administrators to churches, we likely share one desire: to do what is right. And God the all-righteous One is ready and waiting to help us do exactly that.

When you feel overwhelmed or weary, perhaps stop and pray this simplest of prayers. Voice to the Lord that you want to do what’s right. Make the decision. And trust Him with the outcome. He will not fail us!

Hank Wiliams was in the darkness
When he sang, “I Saw The Light,”
I believe there’s good in everyone.
I hope I’m doing this right.

all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

Simply, Slowly, Sharing

Dearly Beloved Friends,

Over the past few weeks, as I’ve sought the Lord’s guidance about decisions and next steps for our congregation amid the COVID-19 crisis, two words continually echoed in my heart: simple and slow.

Keep it simple. Take your time.

While I know the Lord was speaking this to me as an individual, I believe the message might resonate with many of us. Quarantine has slowed many of us down, and reading about the world’s suffering has likely made us more grateful for life’s simple things. We are eager to resume activities and return to social gatherings with one another, but we must not do so with haste.

We will be in touch in the days and weeks to come about how governor’s orders and CDC guidelines continue to affect our congregation, but in the meantime I want to ask you to find simple, slow ways of sharing God’s love to one another from a safe social distance.

One of the ways you can help your church to share the good news is quite simple. Colby Brister, who is a part of our “dream team” in Sunday worship, told me yesterday of a way that we can reach more people with our Facebook page. On Sunday mornings, when you pull up the live video of our worship service on the church’s Facebook page, click SHARE before 11:10AM, and share it to your personal page. The way that Facebook works, the more “shares” we get of that live video in the first ten minutes, the greater our reach will be. Liking and commenting on the video are good also, but clicking “share” increases our visibility on Facebook.

Don’t you love how simply clicking a “share” button can share the good news? What are the other “share buttons” in your life you might click this week to simply and slowly show Jesus’ love?

I pray it is well with your soul today, and all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

What We Need To Know: Bird Bat Edition

Dearly Beloved Friends,

If you joined us for worship this past Sunday, then you are already aware of the visitor who slipped into the sanctuary. The “dream team” all believed it to be a bat, but it turned out to be a bird that strangely acted like a bat. Jace captured the bird bat with a garbage bag and released it back to the wild. No animals were harmed, but the humans were a bit weary!

The bird bat’s appearance is yet another example of life’s unexpectedness. We are living through an unexpected pandemic that has left us in unexpected circumstances. Like humans on the ground staring up at a bird bat in the rafters of a church, we have no control over that creature. What do we have is authority through Jesus Christ to respond in love and patience and without fear.

The bird bat’s freedom began with us simply waiting for it to move. We did not climb a ladder or swing from the chandeliers to get to it (thank the Lord!). As creeped out as we —well, okay, I—was by it, and as hard as it was to wait and see what it would do, the waiting was necessary. We are still in a season of waiting for the COVID 19 crisis to pass, and we don’t know how long it will take. What we do know is that Jesus is risen, and his Church is active with that resurrection power.

As we actively wait together, here are the two things you need to know for this week:

We will continue with virtual worship indefinitely, and
The church office will remain closed until at least May 1, at which time we will reassess.

Next week we will update you on plans for the summer months. We will also share with you the winning entry for the bird bat’s name! Many thanks to our children who submitted name suggestions for our newest visitor.

all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

What We Need To Know: Bird Bat Edition

Dearly Beloved Friends,

If you joined us for worship this past Sunday, then you are already aware of the visitor who slipped into the sanctuary. The “dream team” all believed it to be a bat, but it turned out to be a bird that strangely acted like a bat. Jace captured the bird bat with a garbage bag and released it back to the wild. No animals were harmed, but the humans were a bit weary!

The bird bat’s appearance is yet another example of life’s unexpectedness. We are living through an unexpected pandemic that has left us in unexpected circumstances. Like humans on the ground staring up at a bird bat in the rafters of a church, we have no control over that creature. What do we have is authority through Jesus Christ to respond in love and patience and without fear.

The bird bat’s freedom began with us simply waiting for it to move. We did not climb a ladder or swing from the chandeliers to get to it (thank the Lord!). As creeped out as we —well, okay, I—was by it, and as hard as it was to wait and see what it would do, the waiting was necessary. We are still in a season of waiting for the COVID 19 crisis to pass, and we don’t know how long it will take. What we do know is that Jesus is risen, and his Church is active with that resurrection power.

As we actively wait together, here are the two things you need to know for this week:

We will continue with virtual worship indefinitely, and
The church office will remain closed until at least May 1, at which time we will reassess.

Next week we will update you on plans for the summer months. We will also share with you the winning entry for the bird bat’s name! Many thanks to our children who submitted name suggestions for our newest visitor.

all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.

Holy Week, Easter, and Beyond: What We Need to Know

Dearly Beloved Friends,

Palm / Passion Sunday was our fourth virtual worship service, and what a glorious connection we had from a distance. Thank you for all of the palm branch waving videos and the variety of elements you gathered to share in Holy Communion. I said something in worship on Sunday that I will repeat frequently about this season of social distancing, virtual worship, and modifications:

This is not ideal, nor will this become the norm, but Jesus IS meeting and changing us.

This week marks the most isolating of Jesus’ life as he made the journey to the cross alone, and indeed he will come to us in our own spaces of isolation. Here is what we need to know as we look toward the Day of Resurrection together from a distance:

1. Holy Thursday, April 9 @ 6PM: We will offer a virtual worship service on Facebook Live and to be uploaded to You Tube later. We will share in Holy Communion if you wish to gather the elements in your home.

2. Good Friday, April 10 @ 12 noon: We will live stream a reading of the Passion narrative from the cross in our courtyard on Facebook and upload later to You Tube. We invite you to find a small cross in your home and set up a space where your family can gather around that cross. Get some paper where you can write down the burdens, prayer concerns, and worries you want to leave at the cross, then place them under the cross during the service.

3. Easter Sunday, April 12 @ 11AM & Sunday, April 19 @ 11AM: We will worship together on Facebook Live and on the radio, 100.9FM. The service will later be uploaded to You Tube.

4. You Tube: In the interest of time and convenience, I am uploading videos of the worship services and Wednesday night music service through my You Tube account. Search for “darian duckworth,” and you’ll see a photo of the church to click on. You can then subscribe to the channel and receive notifications when a new video uploads. We will email and text out a link to that You Tube channel.

Be sure to read the whole newsletter for all that you need to know!
all good things to each of you,
Dr. D.