Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I do hope your fourth week of the Easter season is starting well with another beautiful day in Middle Georgia. Here are a few updates I wanted to share:

•   I’ve heard from a few that there’s still some difficulty accessing our online worship. Watch for an email with instructions to simplify access by using the All Saints webpage: www.allsaintswr.org.

•   Next Sunday is a special day at All Saints! In addition to Mothers’ Day, this has traditionally been our Youth Sunday, which is still happening this year, so be sure to join us for Sunday’s worship with a youth officiant, preachers, readers, and musicians. While we are still pre-recording our worship services, this week we are shifting back to the Sanctuary.

•   And speaking of recordings, a grateful shout-out to Kipp Gill, our organist/choirmaster, for his ongoing technical assistance with our Sunday worship. Plus, I wanted to share some additional great news: Kipp has passed his Master’s program comprehensive exams and is on track to complete his degree in May. Congratulations, Kipp!

With businesses beginning to open in Georgia, you may be wondering what the near future holds for us at All Saints. At this point, we are still committed to remote worship through at least May 24th. Safety is a priority and I do anticipate that when we once again worship together in our facility, there will be changes, including new and creative ways to care for one another by maintaining social distancing. Work is beginning to determine what those next steps will be.

Hope do we wait patiently with so much uncertainty surrounding us? I encourage you to find the time to encounter Jesus.

I was reminded this past week in a reflection by Brother David Vryhof of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, that an encounter with Jesus can occur in many ways: through the words of scripture or the testimony of others; through seeing a random act of kindness and compassion or through our own experience of prayer. Perhaps we see Jesus while we worship or through music, art, or poetry; by taking a walk; or even by taking the time to consider the mystery of life itself.

Take the time each day to pause and recognize Jesus — to encounter him in our daily lives — for this is the way to strengthen our belief in him and grow in our knowledge and love of our Risen Lord. Encountering Jesus is the way through this time of uncertainty, for he welcomes us all to rest in him.

Peace,

Mother Bonnie+