. . .reopening, communion and a party . . . OH MY!

Once again, in this time of social distancing, I have to send out another informative note! If you like my more devotional-type notes, I do write on here during the week, I just don't always push them through social media.

I'm so thankful for all the ways my congregation continues to participate in the ministries of Raytown Chapel Church. I think I preach about the church not being the physical building every other Sunday, and who knew we'd be forced into living that out?! Rest assured, the church building is an important place for us to gather and offer our worship together so it will be so wonderful to be able to worship in the same place again. However, the place I preach from in my home has truly become a space for sanctuary. It's nice to know I have this space for my own personal devotion times.

I don't think worshipping strictly online is in the one option we will have going forward, but it's good to know that it is an option when you are on vacation or feeling under the weather! It's a wonderful way to stay connected and attuned to the church community amid our busy lives.

We have a lot of things going on these next few weeks. Help us get the word out about these and let us know about your participation in the following:

Re-Opening Survey // Now Until June 1^st // WC Live
If you have not yet filled out the re-opening survey, please do so now. We want to get feedback on how online worship experience and what safety precautions would need to be in place as we are making deliberate and prayerful plans for reopening. Click to Take Survey

Parking Lot Communion // Sunday, June 7^th // 6:00 PM // Raytown Chapel Church
Bring your own bread and juice, park, and join in with the full communion liturgy. You must let us know you are attending by clicking a time slot on this link: Click to RSVP  Everyone in your family needs to be accounted for so if you are a family of 4 you need to click on 4 of the slots.  Please fill up the 6:00 PM time frame first and if needed we will do the 6:45 PM time.

Angie's Farewell Backyard Party // Sunday, June 14^th // My Backyard
I love throwing parties and I told Abby what I would prefer for a farewell! A picnic in my backyard that I don't have to make food for!
BYOP & B: Bring your own picnic food and beverages. Plan to picnic in the backyard of the McNeil’s to celebrate Angie’s ministry at Raytown Chapel and her next adventure at Country Club UMC. Help us with a headcount by letting us know how many in your family will be attending. Click to RSVP Backup date for weather is June 21^st.

This time of ministry has been such a blessing to me and when I think about ministry and my life of ministry, I know Raytown and Raytown Chapel will be the most memorable. I have loved every moment of this season.

. . . absorbing the Almighty's energy . . .

The past two days I've been thinking about joy. My family has taken up hiking and biking on a regular basis during this time of social distancing - and this weekend I leaped over muddy oases on the path, and looked into the dense overgrown trees, and breathed in the damp smell of the earth and my heart rested. At that moment, my whole body and mind were at peace. There was this deep satisfaction that radiated through me.

It occurred to me, this is joy. 

I always thought joy would feel like those butterfly moments - you know the ones. The ones that you get when you go on that first date. The one you get when you go over that first hill on the Mamba. 

Those physical moments are fleeting, though. And perhaps joy is fleeting, but I think deep down joy is a fount we can return to when life is not so wonderful.

Joy is a groundedness in the source of our being, God. (I love Paul Tillich so this is not an original thought!). 

With my feet on solid ground, my lungs taking in the sweetness of the air - I took a moment to rest in God's presence. 

I didn't ask God my petitions.

I didn't ask God to speak.

I stood in the presence of the Lord and absorbed the Almighty's energy. 

That's joy.

. . . Holy Communion & Reopening our Church . . .

One of the least exciting things for me is to write an informative e-mail. I prefer writing about where I've been experiencing the movement of God in the world. This Sunday Jackson County Executive Frank White, is supposed to unveil Phase Two for opening our county. If you're like me, you might be waiting with nervous anticipation. Per our Bishop's suggestions, we will likely not open until mid-June. There are many logistics to be worked out, and we are working on them before we can guarantee any measure of safety for you all to gather together. I care about your spiritual, emotional, and physical health, so I plan to do all in my power to make sure you are safe in our place of worship. 

It is well known that as followers of Jesus Christ, we are a people of advent, of anticipation. We know that Christ has initiated the trajectory toward the redemption of the world and we are partnering with him as we await his return.

“But about that day or hour no one knows,

neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son,

but only the Father.  

Beware, keep alert;

for you do not know when the time will come." 

Mark 13:32-33

Throughout the millennia we have been waiting, and some have tried to predict his return.
We are a people living in the "in-between" times. We are used to living in the already and not yet. When we gather for Holy Communion each month, it serves as that reminder as we gather together as people of God. 

For that reason, I want to invite you to gather with me on June 7 at 6 pm or 6:45 pm for Drive-in Communion. As people, created in the image of God, we know we are created for connection and relationship, and we need to be together and remind ourselves that even in times of uncertainty God promises to be with us. Because of the current restrictions on gathering, we need each person to sign up HERE. 

If you know someone who does not use the internet or e-mail, please call that person and ask them when they would like to gather and sign them up with your name. We will be sending out information daily and I need your help sharing the message. And yes, we will be doing the full communion liturgy, watch your inbox for that! Bring a lawn chair too!

RE-OPENING 
Rest assured, we are taking steps to reopen in the safest way possible. But I want you to be a part of that process and I want to understand where your heart and hesitations are during this time.
Please fill out this survey by Sunday, May 31. It will close at midnight.

In the midst of all of this, we are still Christ's Holy Church. We are still reaching new people each week through our online worship. Attendance is up, new people are joining us, generosity is increasing, small groups are still meeting, care for one another remains, our children are engaging, and we are still serving our community. I am beyond grateful for all that you do! 

. . . waiting for sunday . . .

This week Jackson County Executive Frank White, unveiled Phase One for opening our county. 

You can view the entire document HERE. 

So what does this all mean for Raytown Chapel Church? 
You might be asking, "When will we worship in-person again?"  The answer is complicated.  

Our Bishop is encouraging churches across Missouri to follow the recommendations of our local governing bodies. So, we will follow the recommendations of our Jackson County officials. 

On Wednesday, our Bishop invited pastors from across the state to a time of Q&A. This consensus is no one is in a hurry to re-open their buildings until it is safer to do so. Jackson County plans to re-evaluate on May 24th. As you may know, the details of a second phase have not been released to the public so the plan is to re-evaluate as restrictions lessen. For that reason, we will continue to worship online on Facebook. 
 
There are many opinions circulating about how and when to re-open.  Our Bishop reminded us, “We all have the right to our opinions, but we do not have the right to possibly jeopardize the health of others.”  We must be responsible to protect one another. Our church has a larger percentage of less vulnerable persons, but we have a responsibility to those in our congregation who are considered vulnerable, whether owing to age or underlying health conditions. We must be patient during this time, especially as we see other churches hurrying to open. There are many logistics to work out to make sure all are safe. 


In the midst of all of this, we are still Christ's Holy Church. We are still reaching new people each week through our online worship. Attendance is up, new people are joining us, generosity is increasing, small groups are still meeting, care for one another remains, our children are engaging, and we are still serving our community. I am beyond grateful for all that you do! 

Thank You Raytown Chapel Church! You are in my prayers.