Opening Up
I am blessed that in the past eight weeks many church friends have connected weekly with us through conference calls to engage what the writer of Hebrews recommends, “Not neglecting to meet together.” We are all encouraged to be connected in other ways as well. Well done church.
We are starting our transition to return to physical church! Beginning this week on Wednesday May 20th at 7:00 PM, our Praise and Prayer Time will be held simultaneously both at the church and through a Zoom meeting. We have a clean facility. We have a great ventilation system. We have lots of room to spread out. Hand sanitizer, and gloves are available in good supply. The wearing of face coverings is recommended for the comfort and the safety of all who desire to attend in person.
For those who prefer to attend remotely, a recurring Zoom meeting has been scheduled to start every Wednesday at 6:45 PM. The connection information will be provided by email to you Wednesday morning. If you are unsure how to use Zoom, please let us know at least 30 minutes before the start time so that we can assure you are set up, and ready to connect. We wish to honor the Lord in his service, to use any means to provide our ministry to you.
Other announcements regarding other activities like holding Sunday church services are forthcoming.
Our community is beginning to bustle. I am humbled and grateful that countless folks in addition to First Responders and Medical Workers have continued their dedicated work of assisting us to shelter in place. Garbage continued to be picked up. Stores stayed open to provide food and supplies nd plants. Farmers, packers, and planters are doing their life-giving work. Truck drivers and airlines are shipping all those products we ordered weekly on-line. Exhausted and often unnoticed delivery guys continue to put our packages on our front door step.
Our cable and communications people kept us connected. Electric stayed on. Major construction continued in town preparing our community’s progress. Mail comes six days a week. Doctors and Nurses are available 24X7. Almost all our restaurants stayed open for our pick up or their delivery to our homes. Haircuts… my wife did a wonderful job for me last week on our back deck. Town employees continued to work in planning and providing necessary services. Many are working hard in the critical Town budgeting process. Our school teachers have found creative ways to stay connected with their students beyond zoom. Parents are homeschooling. That’s a big one. Teachers helping parents, parents helping parents.
Manufacturing barely slowed. Thinking of all the folks in our town working at Pratt and Electric Boat. Manufacturing increased for others making essential products. Our great military kept vigilant and we are protected. Landscapers kept our lawns beautiful. Walking and riding trails remain accessible and enjoyed. Walked dogs and children playing outside keep our neighborhoods alive. The challenge of working from home by many has not been easy. We are grateful.
Those working the insurance sector sent out distribution checks and processed claims. State workers kept improving our road systems. State and Federal workers worked overtime doing the best they could to keep us together and healthy. Police are working hard keeping us safe and our speed down. Clergy continue their God-given ministry full-time. Counselors are slammed with new clients in their healing work toward those with emotional and mental needs. Financial counselors appear to be working with very little rest.
I could double the list of these we appreciate so much while we sheltered in place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am indebted to each one. Your work, often at great risk will assist us greatly as well in ‘opening up.’
WE MUST ECHO TOO OUR LOVE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO WILL NEED TO STAY QUARANTINED FOR VARIOUS HEALTH OR AGE REASONS. SOME ARE AWAITING ELECTIVE SURGERIES. IT MUST BE UNIMAGINEABLEY HARD. WE MUST NOT PLACE OUR EXPECTATIONS ON THEM. I GRIEVE EVERYDAY FOR MY OWN MOTHER, 86, IN AN OUT-OF-STATE NURSING HOME WHERE UNIMAGINABLE POLICIES EXPECTED COVID PATIENTS TO BE PLACED BACK INTO THEIR FACILITY. SHE WILL REMAIN IN “SOLITARY CONFINEMENT” (HER WORDS) A LONG TIME.
Join me in prayer for each of these who are confined and not always by their own choice. Pray for their safety and deliverance also. I do every day.
As you ‘open up,’ enjoy this video: Blooms in Action
Go to http://www.christianlifechapel.org/listen-read/ to read any CONNECTION Blogs you may have previously missed. How are you? Reply to this email with your testimony and prayer request. Please send all church offerings to: CLC, PO Box 91, Colchester, CT 06415. Thank you for your investment in the Kingdom of God.
Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin
860-537-3914
Christian Life Chapel Website
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415