Crackers and Peanut Butter
My husband recently asked me what I wanted for dinner. I'm sure this is a conversation in many families like years or that you solo eaters have with yourself. Countless times, when it was just me, it would be crackers and peanut butter because I saved my energy for other decisions and found it difficult to make the dinner decision. Not the healthiest meal but nourishing, just the same. What a gift it is to your partner to just decide what's for supper!
Then there are the bigger decisions: decisions about care of family members, decisions about vocation, decisions about boundaries and what you can and cannot live with and be happy or even okay. Decision making is made even harder when the chemicals in your brain throw the chemistry off due to prolonged stress or trauma.
When the Wisconsin Council of Churches shared a press release last week urging congregations to make decisions utilizing safest practices for the next 4-6 weeks in the face of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, I found myself staring at the screen and having a hard time deciding what the priorities should be for the afternoon after sharing the news on our social media.
The hard decisions about the pandemic are still in front of us - still being made in real time - still keeping us on our toes - still causing us to stare blankly at our screens even when there is much to do. So, dear church, the decision making is hard right now. It's all been so psychological and draining for leaders in the church - and worshippers... people like you. And you are not alone - nor is this Back to the Future. This is real life, where windows are open in sanctuaries in winter, and pastors are preaching to cameras and where "2 or 3 are gathered" caring and serving with incredible dedication and love.
Practices in our synod are extremely varied. While some churches have stayed online even still, some are moving to online for portions or all of ministry, others are seeing that there is very little in person attendance, and others are carrying on with different strategies for navigating the pandemic and doing so in ways that are faithful to their context. This diversity in response and practice is all of "us." We may be walking at different paces but we are walking together, still.
There was a great conversation on social media after the Wisconsin Council of Churches released their statement about the nuances of the decision and that in every context, things will be slightly different. I would recommend those making the decisions give this less than 15 minute conversation a listen because it helps with the difficult decision making in settings where it doesn't feel possible to return to physically distanced ministry. Bishop Anne's reflection on the next 4-6 weeks ahead of us can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
More important than certainty in times like these is clarity. As you make decisions and hold conversations, stay nimble, listen as best you can, but then make a decision for a period of time (say, 4-6 weeks), and then communicate that clearly and in multiple ways. Check in on people. Take breaks. Don't be afraid to put yourself on the bench for a minute or "tap out." Whatever you decide, if the intention is to be faithful to the mission of your congregation and the mission of the gospel, you will be faithful.
Even though it might feel like it, it's not solely up to you and you aren't going to "ruin the church." The Holy Spirit is not going to abandon you now and neither are your siblings in Christ throughout and across the synod. The church of Christ is a church of resurrection. The beautiful, broken church is resilient and can withstand it all - even if people are disappointed. Even if people leave - even if there is conflict - the Spirit is moving. We're going to make it through this time. In the moments of boldness, courage, or stillness - there is plenty of grace from God for you. That's a decision you don't have to make, thank God! There is plenty of hope, too - in Christ.
Rev. Jenn Pockat
Associate to the Bishop
Director for Communication and Community
