Hopeful Realism and In Person Worship

 There’s a really wonderful announcement at the end of today’s message. Don’t miss it! 

 

But first, I want to begin with a moment of what the theologian Douglas Ottati calls, “Hopeful realism.” That’s how I invite you to think about our forthcoming in person worship services. We will approach them with joy, but also with a clear-eyed understanding that we continue to live in the midst of a pandemic, so we glorify God and love one another best by practicing self-denying precaution. I want to be very clear that we are not gathering as a kind of brazen defiance of science. We’re not “sticking to the man” or baptizing arrogance by calling it faith. And we’re certainly not lending any credence whatsoever to divisive nonsense being perpetuated by QAnon and those who glibly perpetuate their lies. I hope that is clear. There are plenty of things in this world that are protest-worthy and plenty of causes worth living or dying for, but impatience with public health precautions is not one of them. 

 

Here’s what we are doing: We’re listening to science. We have an epidemiologist on our Faithful Phasing Team, who has helped us to understand Orange County’s recent movement from ‘purple’ to ‘red,’ in the State’s tracking system. We can safely gather, under very deliberate circumstances. Here’s what we are doing: We’re continuing to offer online worship. We know that some folks are more susceptible to this virus than others, some are more cautious about the possibility of exposure than others, some folks don’t agree with the fact that we are offering in person worship. If you are one of those folks, you matter, your opinion matters, and your health matters. So, the right thing for you is to stay home, stay safe, and participate in our worship online. And here’s what we are doing: We are demonstrating that a community of faith can gather and, at the same time, practice caring responsibility for one another. But, we can only do that if each of us subjects ourselves to the health and wellbeing of others. And this is key: If the county’s numbers change for the worse, we will change course. We mean it when we say that we are listening to science and practicing responsibility. 

 

I know this sounds awfully finger-waggy and I hope you know that I try not to use this tone very often. This tone is dedicated, not to the 99% who are well-intended, but to the 1% who might confuse liberty for license. And, as your pastor, I feel an enormous weight of responsibility regarding this decision and the process by which we will gather. So, let me be clear regarding my own role: If, when we gather, there is anyone not wearing a mask, not observing social distance, not abiding by the covenantal practices that enable us to gather safely, we will not worship. Back when the prophet Amos demanded that the people cease “the noise” of their worship, it was because they tried to offer worship while denying justice to others. I would rather risk my reputation, risk our friendship, and even risk my job, than to risk your life. Next week we will review some of these “best practices” that we will follow, enabling us to gather safely, while practicing justice and compassion toward one another. Thanks be to God. 

 

And now, for something completely joyous: We have hired DeJohn Brown, Jr. as our Director of Virtual Music Ministry here at St. Mark! DeJohn is a high school music teacher, who has been part of our choir for many years. We are delighted that DeJohn has agreed to take on this role, particularly during a time when we have to reimagine all of the traditional and familiar ways of being a choir and engaging in music during worship. Thank you, DeJohn, for leading us and thanks to all of you who supported this effort. It is so nice to have good news to share, and this is as good as it gets. 

 

Mark of St. Mark