How do you have a rally day without a rally? Starting another fall without regular Sunday School, patching together safe programs, canceling gatherings, trying to plan for an unknown future. It seems harder this second year. Perhaps because we thought last year would be the only year. Perhaps because there is no agreement and a great deal of disagreement. The energy level at church seems low. My energy is low.

I saw some articles about “the great resignation.” Record numbers of people are quitting their jobs this year. Some attribute this to burn out, conflict, impatience and frustration. Almost as an afterthought, one writer noted positive reasons for the changes. Because of the pandemic, people have been re-thinking their priorities. We have been forced to slow down and consider what is most important in our lives. Some have concluded that they needed to change directions and refocus. Many have started new businesses, changed careers, or taken the risk to follow their passions. Many have prioritized family and chose to work from home or in a less time-consuming industry. Many retired so they could spend time in more positive ways rather than just pursuing a paycheck. The “great resignation” is a positive sign that we have courage to break old patterns and start something new.

The wider church has changed dramatically in the last year. The pandemic seemed to speed the inevitable changes that have been predicted for years by many experts. Suddenly we are where we thought we would not be for a decade or two. For some the change is too much and only leads to frustration. But others in the wider church are excited for the possibilities. They are wildly inventing new ways to reach out and share God’s love. We have no idea where the church is growing. Some people are predicting the end of church – people will never come back since they are used to staying home. Some are desperately trying to recoup the past – return to business-as-usual ignoring what has changed – as if by sheer will power or stubbornness, we could stop time and progress. The more faithful response is to recognize that God is in the changes. God is moving and will continue to move. God has sustained the church for 2000 years and one pandemic will not destroy what God has built. Remember church has not looked the same for 2000 years – even 200 years. Sunday School has only existed for 150 or so years. Many old favorite hymns didn’t even exist when this nation was founded. The core of the gospel, the love of God in Christ Jesus our Savior, has not changed from the beginning of time. But the life of the church changes in every age. God works in the world in new and magnificent ways with every generation. So God is working among us now to create something new and as yet unknown. It is a little frightening. It can be very frustrating. It is also tremendously exciting – to be a part of God’s new way of reaching the world.

So back to our corner of the church. As we look to the future and try to plan, there is so much that we do not know. On the other hand, what we do know is far more important. We know God is with us. We know God loves us. We know God will sustain us and lead us where we need to go. We know this community is grounded in God’s love and will grow with God’s grace. We know our heritage is strong and our future limitless. We know God has given us multiple gifts to share. We know that we are called to live as followers of Jesus sharing God’s love freely by the power of the Holy Spirit. By God’s grace may it be so.