April 8, 2020
“Hear my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my petition.
Listen to me and answer me;
I have no peace, because of my cares.”
Psalm 55:1-2
Dear East Tennessee Friends,
I am writing to you on Wednesday in Holy Week. Psalm 55 is the Psalm appointed for Morning Prayer today. Like you, I have been praying fervently these last several weeks for God to hear and listen as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend our daily lives. This is a time when the cares we are carrying, both for ourselves and others, might overwhelm any sense of peace we know now.
At this time, the facts on the ground regarding COVID-19 still necessitate our need to do all we can to combat community spread. I would ask that you continue to engage in worship, pastoral care, and Christian formation as a dispersed body, still refraining from gathering in person. In continuing to abide by public health and community guidelines to shelter at home, we all are learning a new way to love the neighbor and care for the common good.
I want to continue to commend all the means by which parish clergy and lay leaders are staying connected to the parish churches where they serve. I am also gladdened to hear the lengths being taken to call, write, and keep all the Body together in this time. While this is not a trial any of us would seek, I am aware that some parish communities are experiencing a deeper sense of knowing each other, even as that interaction has come at a physical distance.
Since I last wrote you, a COVID-19 Diocesan Task Force has been established. This group is assisting me in leading through this virus season and reflecting on how we will rebuild and be renewed in the aftermath. The Task Force is focusing on matters related to the following: pastoral care, legal, financial, diaconal, liturgical, and communications. We are meeting weekly. The members are George Arrants, Dianne Britton, Ronda Redden Reitz, Howard Vogel, The Rev. Howard Hess, The Rev. Josh Weaver, The Rev. Lee Ragsdale, Mary Embler, John Hicks, The Rev. Joe Woodfin, McKenna Cox, John Bellamy, and The Very Rev. Doug McCaleb. Please keep these persons in your prayers.
In John’s Gospel, when Mary Magdalene recognizes Jesus in the garden, she runs to him in order to embrace the Resurrected life in her midst. However, Jesus asks her not to touch him, not to hold on to him.
I have never understood that request.
If your friend and your teacher, the Resurrected Jesus stands before you, it makes sense to run towards new life and embrace. Jesus asks Mary to keep a distance from her. Granted, he is not practicing social distancing.
However, this year I will reflect on his request. There is Resurrection Life in our midst, but for now, keep safe distance from each other so that all life might flourish. Keep distance from each other, so that those health care workers and doctors and nurses who are tending to the sick will not be overwhelmed by more virus cases.
Keep distance from the Resurrected One, so as to remember he is not your own private savior. He does not belong to us alone. The Resurrection belongs to the world, to witness to reconciled life where any are suffering or afraid or alone or holding too many cares.
This year we will practice a new kind of Easter. This will not be an Easter of crowded church and fanfare and fragrance. This will be an Easter of standing at a distance, looking out to the horizon, seeing and believing that the Resurrection is drawing near to us. The Resurrected One will enter our locked rooms and breathe peace on us. It is that Peace which will carry us into a new kind of Easter season.
You all remain in my prayers. Pray for me.
Peace,
+ Brian