The following message was sent out to members of Epiphany the morning of Thursday, March 19, 2020
To the saints of Epiphany, Ligonier –
Over the past few days, I have been in connection with many of you as our normal life together has ground to a halt. Many of us are now working from home, supervising workers from home, face-timing with family, and shopping online. Sadly, as the threat of this novel coronavirus has made its way closer to our community, we find our life together mediated by technology, which is not at all a good substitute for being together in person.
That reality will not change this Sunday. Two communiques have been sent out, one from the Bishop of Pittsburgh Jim Hobby and the other from our ACNA Archbishop Foley Beach, both of which instruct clergy to cancel and postpone all worship and public gatherings until further notice. The leadership of our church cares very much for the safety and health of its members and clergy – we are lucky to have Godly leaders in place who are concerned about our well-being. I will include links to their communiques at the end of this email.
What does our life together look like during this time apart? It’s a question I posed to our vestry on a fuzzy conference call last night. While the conversation was difficult, (presumably because every other vestry in America is conference calling this week), the vestry agreed to three first steps.
First – the vestry approved funds for the exploration of a digital substitute for Sunday services. Thankfully, your pastor has some experience with audio and video production, and by this Sunday, I hope to have worked out a temporary digital solution to our separation. While the vestry agreed that we may not need a live stream of a Sunday Service or a video to watch, there was consensus that regular teaching and preaching would be of value during these odd and unique times.
Second – the vestry approved a financial gift from our mission fund to Epiphany member Lisa Houser’s restaurant, Myriam’s Table. Lisa and her team are trying out a “Patron Pricing Model” this week, which allows for patrons to purchase meals for those who can’t afford them. Epiphany’s gift will provide 100 meals to help the restaurant and its employees provide curbside takeout for anyone in local need. It is Lisa’s hope that her cafe can become a hub for feeding people in financial hardship. If you are looking for a way to proactively help others during this season of separation, consider Lisa’s charitable work in her restaurant as an option. More information is available on the Myriam’s Table website.
Third – the vestry approved a boost to Pastor Bryan’s discretionary fund. Pastor Bryan is able to give financial assistance from this fund with no questions asked. If anyone within the church needs financial assistance over the coming days or weeks, please see Pastor Bryan for help.
You’ll notice I have titled this email “The Cross & Coronavirus, v.1.1” As we navigate this odd season together, email will be one of the primary ways I am able to connect with you. Stay tuned for more information, devotionals, and fun from this email account. My hope and my prayer is that as anxiety and cabin fever and boredom mix together, we will discover or rediscover God’s love in the Christian gospel afresh.
St. Paul writes this note to the persecuted church in Philippi:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
Unsurprisingly, Paul links the peace of God with prayer. The more time we spend in prayer these weeks, letting our requests be known to God, the more that God’s peace will guard our hearts. Let us be fervent in prayer, bold to help our neighbors, and trusting in God’s goodness.
Pastor Bryan