We’d be hustling in at 9:03, 9:04, 9:06 a.m. …wondering if Stanley would make it through the service or if he would squirm and squawk his way to the back of the sanctuary…or even farther.

We’d say hello to friends who are now more like family. In the parlor we’d make note of the Collection Connection item of the month; we’d look at upcoming church events and get signed up and make notes in our calendar.

On Wednesday nights we would meet with one of the largest groups of sixth graders going through Pastors’ class, often times with the kids teaching us more than we were teaching them.

At least once a month we would gather at a friends’ home with our Neighborhood Communion group, passing dishes around a big dinner table sharing stories, memories and jokes.

But now more than ever these are the people and the connections we need. And through our incredible leadership and staff, we are kept afloat as a church of people, our church family:

  • Gathering over Zoom on Wednesday afternoons with Catherine and April, Sara and Alex for stories and songs for the little kids.
  • Learning with our Pastors’ Class under Tyler’s guidance and organization, keeping up with each other’s highs and lows as we are experiencing this extreme change in circumstance.
  • Cleaning and precautions that are beyond most of our contemplations by our staff in preparation for our safe return to our beautiful sanctuary whenever that may be.
  • Keeping track of all of the members, Joe is just as present and a comfort in the time of grieving the passing of a loved one as if he were here in person.
  • Preaching by our ministers – Carla and Mike – in a way that for a brief moment we forget we are not together in person, feeling we are together passing the peace and together sharing communion. Paul and the singers and musicians are able to touch our souls through a laptop screen.

Now more than ever, when the isolation shakes nerves, when the loneliness creeps in, when faith starts to fade, we are reminded of the comfort, love and togetherness provided by this church family.

Now more than ever, peace — until we meet again, in-person or virtually.

Chris, Sara and Stanley Christensen