Mugged!

            This pandemic time has meant we're encountering one another in new and unexpected ways. And we're noticing things: the BC chief medical officer's shoes, for example (she wears Fluevogs - and so much attention went there that a special shoe has been designed in her honour, with proceeds to local food aid!). Here in Nova Scotia, our beloved Dr. Strang has a penchant for ties (and is apparently a Habs fan).

            I've had it pointed out that I, too, have a daily demonstration of a sort - in our noontime daily prayers, I tend to have my coffee nearby; so my mugs are being noted.

            Each of my mugs (I have WAY more than I need!) has a story - a Jiminy Cricket mug (a gift from my godson), a Tivoli mug (from a university-era backpacking trek), a Gender Equality mug (from my work at the UN), a shoe mug (...and we're back to Fluevogs. Bless.)

            These mugs are a small thing, a tiny extension of myself - of my relations, of my memories, of my values. They share a small part of my story - a story that would may not otherwise be seen: in what other circumstance might the general public see into my mug cupboard?!

            But they are seen. They are shared.

            This pandemic and lockdown is inviting us to share little bits of ourselves in careful ways - as we are limited in our interactions, we have the chance to choose what and how we present of ourselves to the world. We can be more open in the time of interactions, knowing that people are paying more attention to what we share.

            So we can take time to be intentional about noticing. We can choose to ignore the shaggy haircuts (oi) or the "pandemic pounds" and focus on the ways we can connect. If someone is posting about prayer, we can call and ask to pray with them. If someone is sharing music, we can start a conversation about a concert. If someone is grieving (as we all are in Nova Scotia right now), we can extend a note of care and concern.

            We have a unique time and space right now where we can be noticing. We can be paying attention. We can reach out even as we stay safely apart. We can connect in ways that go deeper than we have gone before. And while this distancing is not our ideal, we can make the most of it to strengthen our connections and our communities. We just have to take notice, and engage.

Giving it 10%

            For a society that enjoys a perception of control and ultimate awareness, our current reality of unprecedented collective anxiety is not comfortable.

            We also recognise that COVID-19 is unlike other enemies we have faced: it is not a partisan issue (though many are making it political); it does not have a face (aside form the dog-toy-esque graphic); it seemingly attacks indiscriminately across our distinctions of socio-economic status, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc.

            The storm is the same - and while our boats are all different, we are all in the same storm.    At the end of this 'war', there will be no memorial day at new monuments, no statues raised, no iconic photos to be shared for a hundred years.

            People deal with this type of uneasy situation in many different ways; some are giving it 100% - writing novels, creating art, drafting governance models - producing a lot. And some folks are able to give it 10%. And you know what? That's great. Because 10% is a lot. And it's cumulative. 10% of a puzzle could be the first 10% or the last 10% - it all contributes to the big picture. 

  

          There may be times when we all feel like we could take on the world, and some days where we barely get off the couch. And that's okay, because we're all in the same storm. Admittedly, we're all in different boats in the same storm - with different capacities, resources, and responsibilities.  Yet the good news is that Jesus calms storms - but not without joining us in our boats to still our hearts.

            So as you journey this storm today, I invite you to be aware of what you have to give - and give what you've got - 10%, 100%, or anywhere in between. And be okay with that. And respect that everyone else is giving it all they have as well (remembering we're not called to be competitors, but are given the chance to be community).  For when we are gentle with ourselves, and with each other, we will weather this storm together.

            And maybe we can finish a puzzle along the way.

When is Church?

   One of the questions I am often asked is about the time for church. What service is when on Sundays, what special services are there, when is the mid-week service, etc.

   So it's fascinating to be in a place now where the buildings are (rightly) locked up, and church - the worshipping body of Christ - is gathering (separately) in different ways. But no one has been asking me "when is church"?  

   So I find it especially interesting, as my community is one of the congregations that is offering live-streamed prayers, and on a daily basis. Monday through Saturday we have noon prayers, Sunday we have our regularly scheduled 8.30 BCP and 10.30 BAS. (All from my dining room as we - in the words of our provincial premier - "Stay the Blazes Home!")

   Yet, the gift of technology means that as soon as the streaming of worship is complete, the entire thing remains on the social media space. So people can watch and pray at whatever time is convenient for them. And these days, when we are relying less on our timepieces and dayplanners, time is a much more 'fluid' concept.

   And yet: people are gathering, at the same time, to pray. Despite the physical distance, we are as close as ever because we are praying together.

   This is not unique to those of us who are streaming live; colleagues have shared that pre-recorded videos are being viewed at large numbers at the traditional service time; other colleagues who are distributing prayer services have shared that congregants have commented and committed to praying at a set time - knowing that this act brings them together.

   While we know that church is not simply a building or a time, this time of pandemic restrictions has shown us the power of praying together - that we are called to be together, to pray together, to connect with God and with each other. There is strength in knowing that we are gathered for the same purpose at the same time.

   So when is church? Church is whenever we choose; how delightful when we choose to BE the church at the same time.