Pastoral Letter during the COVID-19 Epidemic
Dear Friends,
The Church is not a building! We are the body of Christ!
Nothing can separate us from the love of God and one another! Praise God!
At this difficult time of epidemic, let us seek comfort and guidance by reflecting on our spiritual legacy and the great cloud of witnesses which provides eternal reassurance and example.
The Word of God came to the prophet Moses who led the people of God out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. We all know the story from the Book of Exodus. The people wandered in the wilderness where they suffered hunger, thirst, illness, and division for 40 years. Yet through these trials and tribulations, God taught His people the reality that we are all dependent on God for everything we need to live and flourish. Although this was a difficult time for the people, it was also a cherished time because this is when the people were closest to God. God uses the wilderness experience to shape and form a community to be Holy as God is Holy – and to bear the glory of God to all the nations.
After Jesus was baptized, he was thrust into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. The Word Made Flesh experienced the hunger, thirst, loneliness, fear, and temptation which we all face. After being shaped by this experience and committing to give all the Glory to the Father, the Christ begins His ministry to heal a broken world.
During this time of Lent, and epidemic, we are venturing into a new wilderness – a place where we have never been before. The Word of God reassures us that God will lead us and provide for us if we let Him. While we are at home, let us continue to practice our most beautiful spiritual traditions of fasting, prayer, and charity:
Spend time in silence consenting to God’s presence.
Read the Holy Scriptures.
Pray for the Church, the World, our leaders, the sick, and one another.
Call your neighbors, friends, and loved ones and ask if they need any help.
The Church is the Body of Christ! As Jesus was thrust into the wilderness, so are we during this time of epidemic. Let’s use this as a blessed opportunity to come closer to God. Let’s use this as a blessed opportunity to respond with love and charity to our neighbors so that we, the Church, the Body of Christ can carry the Glory of God to all people as Jesus does.
The Rector, Vestry, Administrator, and people of St. John’s-Grace are working actively to provide worship, prayer, and pastoral care during the current epidemic. Worship services will be live-streamed and an online social hour via telephone and internet will follow. Technical details will be provided asap. Vestry is creating care circles/phone trees so we can remain connected to support one another. All church buildings are closed to all face-to-face worship, meetings, etc., and guest groups until further notice.
Please send you name, phone number, and e-mail to stjohnsgracesecretary@yahoo.com or leave a phone message at (716) 885-1112 so we can remain connected!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
Jon
Rev'd Jon F. Lavelle, Rector
St John’s-Grace Episcopal Church
51 Colonial Circle~
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 867-1340 cell
(716) 885-1112 office
jonlavelle@yahoo.com
http://www.stjohnsgrace.org
https://www.facebook.com/SJGEC
Christ in the Wilderness – The Hen 1937 ©Stanley Spencer ©Fair Use