We’re now well into the long stretch of “Sundays after Pentecost” and into the summer season. For the longest time, I had wondered if it would ever warm up.
Some changes in the life of the church come with the change in the season. Starting June 26th, both of our services of worship (Sundays at 8:30 a.m and 10:30 a.m.) will be “mask optional.” In order to gauge what the “new normal” of worship attendance patterns are, we knew that we would eventually go to worship formats where masking would be optional. We will look at attendance patterns over the next few weeks and make some recommendations for a more “permanent” schedule sometime in early August. Summer may not be the most ideal time to gauge patterns (even under the best of conditions), but it’s the route we have to go.
I don’t make any predictions on what we’ll learn, but time will tell.
As we try to move things into a more “normal” pattern of operations, there are some things I would like to ask the members of the congregation to evaluate. For two years, we have not passed offering plates or communion trays in the pews. Early in the pandemic, it was felt that transmission through surface contact was a likely event; we have since learned that this was not case. That being said, are we more comfortable keeping those practices the way they are? Have we lost anything in not doing it the old way? These are things I would like to learn from you.
The other event coming up shortly is the musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Nineveh,” which runs July 15th-17th. I am pleased to report that rehearsals have been going well and that things are falling into place. Freewill offerings received during the performances will fund “Project Nineveh,” which will be earmarked for Ukrainian refugee relief and support of the Plymouth Food Pantry. I hope that you’ll be able to attend one of the performances.
Enjoy the summer months and don’t forget to nourish your spiritual side.
Shalom aleichem—Peace be with you.
Rev. Jim Hoppert
