Last year at the beginning of the pandemic, I brought home my potted succulents from my study at the church. I set them where they would get more light, but still they were all stretched out. I turned, as one does, to Google to learn all about my succulents — which were alive, but looking more like an untamed jungle than houseplants. It turns out that succulents will stretch to find the light. And stretch they had. I read up on how to trim them and replant them. It turns out they really are durable little plants. After trimming them I had a pile of fresh cuttings, which I read would reroot themselves if I gave them the right environment. Instead of throwing them out, I made a shallow tray of soil, and waited. Today many of them are still growing! It has been slow going. Not all of them worked out, but I have a bunch. In many ways, this reminds me of the new things God has been doing all around me. I see so many places where the pandemic left the remnants of ministries scattered … [Read more...]

The biggest takeaway in pandemic learning for the church is that we can adapt and change quickly. I had just a few days’ notice to bring worship online instead of in the building — and now, a year later, it is part of our rhythm. In fact, the church’s online worship has reached new people and we hope to continue livestreaming worship for the foreseeable future. A year ago, I would have told you livestreaming worship just was not a priority for the congregation.  But now, I have watched all sorts of churches adapt in amazing and unique ways. Do not get me wrong – I long to have people in pews again – but having to do this has taught us a great bit about how God can stretch us. I did not grow up in the church. I made a choice to be Presbyterian. I learned a lot about many of our fellow denominations, but I never quite felt at home anywhere else like I do among my fellow Presbyterians. I love the way our polity works, that we use votes and majorities and that we listen to voices … [Read more...]