This past Sunday we wrapped up our annual pledge campaign. We invited one another to discern the need to be generous, to share in every perfect gift.
Each year, we set a date to wrap it up because at some point we have to say “it’s time to make the budget!” And our treasurer loves it when we all get our pledge cards returned in a timely fashion.
There’s something kind of funny about how normal this all feels in light of an obviously abnormal time and the abnormal circumstances we are still living in.
It is funny and it is also serious, personal, and emotional.
A big part of the Bishop’s address to convention this year was to simply name, not just how tired we all are – tired of this and from this – but also how traumatic this experience has been and continues to be.
Trauma isn’t a word we use lightly or simply. Precisely because it isn’t simply a momentary pain. Trauma doesn’t just effect our brains, but our bodies. The trauma of the pandemic, being away from friends, church, and other forms of restorative community has been traumatic. And it won’t go away tomorrow, even if we wished COVID away.
But we are given to serve one another. In love. For the sake of Christ. We are asked to give of ourselves so that we might live. These offerings are foundational to a life in Christ. And an invitation to more joy and hope right now.
Drew+