Dear First Presbyterian Church of Easton,
I know for sure how empty our building has been. Today I went into the Millheim Conference Room and walked through… a spider’s web. I laughed with surprise.
Currently only our treasurer and myself come in to the office, each on a separate day of the week. Susan Mackay has been so dutiful in her treasurer’s responsibilities- ensuring your donations are deposited and of course, paying the church bills. Many of you may not know that Kim Price our office administrator has not worked for us since March. Due to concerns regarding her health, she has stayed carefully quarantined. (Though we very much hope to have her back soon.) On Sunday only a crew of no more than four are in our sanctuary. And only occasionally will one of our property co-chairs be on the grounds. Yes, the church building has been empty.
But how many of you remember the Sunday School or VBS song you once learned which started with the following words: “the church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people!”? Remember that the early “church” did not have buildings.
The early “converts” to the faith were said to have “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2
Many were still were active in their Jewish faith and thus in Temple life, but much of what those disciples did together took place in homes and out in the community.
I have no idea what Jesus would have thought of Facebook or Zoom- two kinds of on-line platforms we are using to keep in touch during stay-at-home orders. I know some days I wish I had the patience of Jesus as I try to navigate the technological challenges we face as we try to be the church-out-in-the-world. I thank you as a congregation for rising to the challenge of logging onto Facebook to see our live-streamed worship or for learning how to get on a video-conference Zoom meetings. Sometimes it is frustrating.
While we will once again fill our building- most likely in small stages- we surely have been fully launched into the digital age. We see the numbers of people we can reach by using technology. Before today’s new “converts” to the faith meet us in our sanctuary, they most likely will first meet our church on Facebook or Instagram. Teams have discovered that we can meet from our homes- especially if weather or children’s bedtimes are an issue. Church life as we know it will be different when we reemerge after COVID19.
As we await what those days ahead, know that what makes First Presbyterian Church of Easton a special ‘place’ will not change. For this church is more than our building (which is lovely); this church is a resilient group of people.
Be witnesses to God’s love by sharing kindness and compassion anywhere and everywhere you can.
Be Well.
Peace,
Pastor Stefanie