Weekly pandemic update from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Trying to sum up my thoughts for today has proven to be exceptionally difficult. My mind is a jumble of concerns. In real-time, I am praying about our election and our election process. I am proud of members like Tim Thames who is working at the polls. For Tim and others doing the same, I give thanks. I am praying for safety. I am praying about COVID. Rising numbers are a reality. I want all of our members to be safe. Again, I am praying for safety. Randomly, I am praying/nervous about a bike race I am riding in tonight. Noah will be racing, too. In the race between the two of us, he's going to win. I literally have a zero-percent chance of beating him; instead, I am hoping not to crash. Again, I am praying for safety.

Safety. The safe process of elections and peaceful transitions of power are fundamental to the American experience. Safety, wearing our masks in public, keeping a safe distance while also learning to smile with our eyes is fundamental to how we can protect ourselves and our neighbors. It is at this point a visible and scientifically proven way we can love our neighbors as ourselves. Safety is why we have yet to gather indoors, or hug, or shake hands. This year safety is a discipline.

Last Sunday we prayed for the leaders of our nation. Next Sunday we will say the same prayer. And we will say it the following Sunday and the Sunday after that. It is our discipline, it is our call, and it is and always has been a part of our worship. In this prayer, and in the prayers we have been disciplined to say week in and week out, there is great safety for we know true safety lies not in the confusion of our lives, but in the constant love of Christ.

In Christ,

Mitch+