CoVID-19 UPDATE #1 // A Letter From Pastor Mike
Uncertainty remains a theme in my life. There are so many things I don’t know and things I can’t control. I don’t know when the threat of CoVID19 will pass. I don’t know how are country will respond to the racial divisions and injustices that have been exposed. I don’t know what the future holds in many parts of my life. In 2020, I don’t have to ask you if you can relate because I know you can. A friend of mine once called worrying about all the what if questions “negative meditation.” I found that insight helpful because it named the consequences of worrying. When I find myself leaning towards negative meditation I attempt to ground myself in the present moment. God has given me the gift of today and that is something to be grateful for. Furthermore, I ground myself in the things I can control rather than the things beyond my control. That leads me to one of the questions that has been asked quite frequently lately.
When is the church campus reopening? I have fielded that question many times lately and I have exciting news to share with you. The laity council voted last Sunday to approve a tentative plan to reopen our church campus in phases. We hope to open the campus to small socially distanced groups in on June 22nd. We hope to offer in person worship on Sunday July 5th. Throughout this season the leadership team of Asbury has worked hard to balance our desire to gather as a community with the necessity of keeping our church and community safe. I am so grateful for the wisdom of Asbury’s leadership team who are faithfully guiding us forward. Even though we have a plan with set dates, we continue to closely monitor the new infection rates in Florida. The infection rates are currently on the rise. This is concerning and the leadership team may need to adjust our plans if new information gives us reason to believe the risks of gathering together have increased. We can’t control the corona virus infection rates but we can control how we respond to it. May we the church respond with grace and peace to the uncertainties we face.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Mike Luzinski