The month of October is usually associated with cooler weather and falling leaves, but for our church right now, it is definitely a place of increased activity and sprouts of new growth. For us at ELPC, the past months have been challenging on many levels. Having the building closed for so long has forced all our staff to innovate new ways to stay connected with the church congregation and continue our ministries serving the community. Yet despite the rocky soil of this pandemic season, fresh growths are now emerging into the light.
During the months of August and September, we were able to welcome small groups to be present as we filmed the livestream worship services in the Courtyard. Some of our elders, deacons, Sunday Church School teachers, and new members wore masks and worshiped safely in person. We also were able to celebrate a series of baptisms despite the pandemic precautions. In mid-September, we carefully began to welcome back into the building a few of the 12-step groups who rely on our church to hold their vital meetings, helping people battle addictions to drugs and alcohol. We also allowed some ELPC programs and committees to return to the building, such as when a small
group of Presbyterian Women Bible Study participants safely met in the
Harambe Room.
In addition to this, we are finding ways to share fellowship together outdoors. This newsletter includes photos from a Young Adult work day at the African Healing Garden and of volunteers diligently weeding our Rain Garden on Penn Ave. We had a chance to see one another on the September 27 “Drive-By” event and are looking forward to another one on November 8 as part of our Stewardship Sunday “Pledges & Food Drive” initiative. Our Christian Education leaders are creatively offering learning resources and opportunities for all ages, and our Mission leaders are using remote options for important discussions on race, justice, and the environment. Our worship team is planning how we can celebrate the Advent and Christmas season creatively, even if we likely won’t be able to gather for a big holiday concert or Christmas Eve service. And the Session continues to discuss options regarding having pre-registration available for a limited-size congregation to worship in the Sanctuary in the coming weeks.
Our nostalgia over wanting things to return to how they were before cannot blind us to the opportunities before us to live into a more vibrant and creative ministry. The answers we will come up with may seem imperfect. Yes, some people are anxious to return to worship in the building, while others necessarily need to wait for a vaccine. Yes, Zoom and conference call classes spread our message out beyond the Pittsburgh city limits, but they also prevent some people without internet connectivity from full participation. Yes, we can be the church outside the walls of our building, but we all long for personal contact and seeing our friends inside the halls of ELPC. My affirmation to you is that God is not limited by our imperfections. Let us be good gardeners, tending to new sprouts and initiatives, planting seeds, hopeful they will bear fruit. Look ahead with confidence, for God is with us now and always!
—Randy Bush
Good to hear that starting Oct 11, people can sign up for in person services. For those who do not have Internet, can they call to register? Maybe that group can have priority.