“…you will be my witnesses…to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8b
Dear Friends:
Food establishments, daycare facilities, medical institutions, financial institutions, and gas stations are among the several entities deemed “essential” and remaining open during this COVID19 Pandemic. Churches are essential, with the restrictions of social distancing and fewer than ten in attendance. Naturally, as we move through this prolonged time of online worship, work and school, restricted travel, limited outdoor socialization, and very careful distance in stores, we may second guess ourselves about what is essential. But, today, I’d like us just to remember what God in Christ deems as essential.
On Sunday, we’ll gather for online livestreaming worship for the feast of the Ascension. The Ascension is the high holy day in the church when we acknowledge once again that Jesus, making us holy in the truth, entrusts us to be about his kingdom work as he rises up into the heavens. The kingdom work of God in Christ is essential work. Now more than ever, we must be about the business of acting in love to conquer hate.
By now you’re aware of the hate crime that took place early this morning in the North Point shopping center in Reston. Swastikas were spray painted on the sidewalks and street furnishings throughout the center. While there is no excuse for this display of cruelty, we’re reminded that these are fearful times and fear can produce hate. Now more than ever we’re called to combat hate with love. Jews, Gentiles, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, we are a community who come together bound in the love of a higher power, a power that rules our hearts and minds and souls, a power that is essential to living as a people who will not let fear drive our reasoning, our actions. For Christians, children gifted with the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ, we are empowered by Jesus to do what is essential: love; not hate.
What do we do? The painted symbols of hate have been removed from the North Point shopping center. As a loving act, local restaurants provided free meals for the workers scrapping away at the sidewalks and furniture. Washing away the paint does not take away the hurt. So, we continue. Got chalk? On your sidewalk, your driveway, write or draw with your best effort, “Hate Has No Home Here”. Or, if that’s too many words, craft, “Love Wins”. Come to Epiphany and knock on the door at #2 entrance. We’ll hand you some chalk and you’re welcome to draw out “Hate Has No Home Here” using your best creative ability. If enough of us proclaim that “Hate Has No Home Here” and “Love Wins” maybe, just maybe, as essential witnesses of love, not hate, some may have their hearts softened and be open to turning away from their hurt and toward love. Give it a try. Take a photo of your artistry and send it over to me: clergy@epiphanyec.org
and we’ll post it. More importantly, pray for those so troubled that they cannot embrace God’s love.
On Sunday we’ll also remember in prayer those who gave their lives defending and fighting for the liberties and freedoms we enjoy to this day and believe to be essential. This Memorial Day will look far different than other Memorial Days for most of us. Rather than crowding for a parade, a picnic or at the beach, consider participating in a run or a walk of your own making honoring the name of a fallen hero. Register your action with: Wearblueruntoremember.org and they will send you a name and his/her story. Take your walk or enjoy a run wearing a bib you’re welcome to print out honoring that hero who fought defending our essential freedom. “Hate Has No Home Here” only “Love Wins”.
The love of God is the pinnacle of what is essential in these challenging times, for sure. In love is hope. We live in hope. Our strength for loving action comes as we gather as a community of worship. Continue to pray for the Pandemic to flatten that eventually we will return physically to our space. In the meantime, we are blessed to online livestream worship, now returning to the Worship Space, tuning in at 10:00 a.m.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAcEtxyOgTc
Your giving makes being the church possible. Thank you as well for your continued giving to the very full and active life of
Epiphany:
I look forward to “seeing” you in worship on Sunday.
Stay well.
Many blessings and love,
Hillary