Dear Church Family,

I’m really tired.  Over the past year and a half, the church has struggled.  I have been burdened with the tremendous task of keeping everything together.  The leadership of the church has dwindled to one deacon and two yokefellows.  We have also leaned heavily upon the church secretary.  Without her we would have drowned.  We went into a mode of ministry that we had to learn as we went.  Virtual worship and bible study was a new thing.  Learning how to video and live stream has taught us much.  Now, with the pandemic continuing into another year, we will rely heavily upon our deacon, our yokefellows, our secretary and our Sunday school teachers to help us make decisions about worship, service and missions in the future.

Did I say that I was tired?  Yes, I am tired of worrying about you.  I am tired of worrying about the church.  I am tired of worrying about my family which includes every member of our church.  It has been hard to touch base with all of you and keep you up to date on what is happening.  Yes, I am tired of my own health issues that keep me from ministering and serving you.  This past year has put a tremendous strain on my mental well-being.  It is my prayer that the Lord of our faith would breathe new life into me and you.  A breath of fresh air if you will.

Listen to me carefully.  We don’t know all the answers.  The decisions that are made about our church are made with the utmost care and sincerity.  Not everybody is going to be in agreement with what we do.  As a matter of fact, we have lost church members because of the decisions we have made about facemasks and social distancing.  It is imperative that you understand that now is the time that we need you the most.  Please, please, please don’t drop out on us now.  Understand, that we cannot make you wear a facemask.  We cannot make you get a covid vaccination.  All we can do is ask you to comply with the decisions that are made concerning these issues for the safety and well-being of us all.  If you don’t like the decisions that are made, then come be a part of what we are trying to do.  Be active and help us make those decisions.  Trust me, your opinion matters.  I am afraid that facemasks will be with us for quite some time to come.  I don’t like it any better than you do, but I wear them because I have a compromised immune system and I don’t want to get sick or possibly die.  Nor do I want to transfer any type of virus to one of you due to my negligence.  This is a heartfelt plea to all of our church members to come together in one accord for Jesus’ sake.  We are on the brink of a new beginning.  Please, come help us.

Help us rebuild.  Help us revive.  Help us minister.  Help us serve.