COVID-19 Arrived 4 Weeks into My New Pastorate

COVID-19 arrived exactly 4 weeks after I arrived at my new church.  To be exact, it arrived in the area but thankfully, as of the time I write this, no one in the local church has contracted COVID-19.

With its arrival, it brought anxiety, locked doors, canceled pastoral visits, postponed funerals, online worship services and a level of uncertainty I have yet to experience in ministry.

Thankfully, God has provided.

This congregation of Port Elgin United Church has been videotaping their services weekly for years and has a highly capable AV crew.  Two members of the crew are a married couple, Dave and Maria, so together they do the work of 3 or 4 each Thursday as we record the services.

Brenda, the Minister of Music, is truly a rock star!  She plays and sings each hymn from the grand piano that sits on the far side of the sanctuary.  Brenda’s talent doesn’t end at her amazing voice and skilled playing; she has an uncanny ability at picking the perfect hymns each week!

I have been learning what it means to preach to an empty sanctuary; which is an unwelcome lesson.

Thankfully, the online services have been well received with over 250 views within the first day of being posted.   In fact, they have been so well received that on Monday, March 23^rd, when Premier Doug Ford announced the closing of Non-Essential businesses,  I was informed that our ministry is essential in bringing worship to people as they stay safely at home.  We were encouraged to continue taping our worship services.

As a faith community, it is our desire to be the hands, feet, and heart of Christ which has become rather difficult in this pandemic.  However, by the use of new ministries, we are discovering new ways to reach out.  For example, we are starting an Online Bible Study next week via Facebook.  Our Pastoral Care Team is sharing in the pastoral phone ministry ensuring those who live alone will receive weekly visits.  And, our Office Administrator, Kathleen, is still able to send out a weekly newsletter, the Friday File.

It hasn’t been easy leading a new congregation through this crisis.  Stephen Covey coined the phrase, “change travels at the speed of trust” (The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything, 2006) which means any minister who wants to bring changes needs first to develop trust.  This trust usually isn’t granted within 7 weeks.  We are getting to know each other rather quickly during this heightened stressful time.

Thankfully, these wise words by Corrie Ten Boom (concentration camp survivor) crossed my path recently. While writing about adversity she reminds us, “We have a God to go to, as did the Psalmist David who trusted God, made God his refuge “until these calamities be over past” (Psalm 57:1).  So pray and sit tight.  God’s got you.  Whatever adversity you face shall pass.”

With these wise words we will continue our Lenten journey prayerfully trusting in a God who always leads us to new life and new beginnings.

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel