This month marks the one year anniversary of the church building being closed because of Covid-19. We never anticipated on March 15, 2020 that this anniversary would even occur. I really thought we would be back in the building in a week or two! And surely by Easter 2020. As weeks turned to months, and spikes in the virus kept occurring, there were times I felt we would never get back.
In the United States alone there have been over 500,000 deaths and many more who still struggle with long term effects from the disease. Jobs have been lost. Mental health crisis has reached an all time record. Families have not been able to gather for important life events. Our gatherings have all turned virtual. After one year, we have learned about Covid fatigue. Even the long-awaited vaccine has brought anxiety as the distribution has proved very difficult.
And yet, in the midst of all these difficulties, we have found ways to continue to be the church! We have proven we are adaptable, resilient, and the body of Christ! Mt. View has learned to Zoom, to record worship, to connect, and to even have fellowship all online. In the last year we have had many Outreach opportunities to our neighbors in need through food drives, clothing drives, and many other ways. We have learned about ways to be include others through a series of speakers sponsored by the Inclusivity Team. Virtual worship has been a learning experience, but through staff and many volunteers, we have been able to consistently provide meaningful worship. You all gave generously, and we ended 2020 in a positive financial position. We introduced Thursday devotions that have involved a wide variety of people.
While this is not an anniversary we celebrate, it is one we can use to look back and see how the Spirit has lived in us and will continue to move us forward. I don’t know what the next twelve months will hold, but I can’t imagine they will be anything like the last twelve. I also know we will meet them head on, ready to continue being the church!