A Full Copy of January 20th’s Thursday Thoughts can be found HERE

January 20, 2022

Dear Congregation:

ERUCC has had a COVID response plan and process in place since July of 2020.  Our protocols and precautions have served us well and has enabled us to gather in-person as well as virtually.  We have turned and pivoted and adjusted as necessary.

As you know, we returned to wearing masks inside in August due to the rise of the Delta variant of the virus.  In these past weeks and those to come, we are responding to the more transmissible Omicron variant.  Still, we have stayed the course in our Love Your Neighbor response to the coronavirus.

On behalf of the leadership of the church, I thank you for your love and care for one another.  When you have been sick or have been experiencing symptoms that could be COVID, you have stayed home and not attended in-person events at the church.  You have notified me or Kim Sexton of your illness and exposure if you had been at an in-person church event or activity.   That communication has brought great comfort and assurance to those attending ERUCC that we have done everything to mitigate risk and when we have heard of an exposure, we have notified the people who may have been in close contact with someone at church. To date, we are not aware of anyone having contracted the virus from an in-person encounter.

I thank you for your conscientious love and care for others in the church.  Please do let us know if you are will so your church family can be supportive.  Please do let us know if you are experiencing symptoms or were tested positive for the virus and had recently attended an in-person event at the church.

We have been assured by the Health Department that being vaccinated, masking, washing our hands, and maintaining distance lowers the risk of contracting the virus.  But there is a risk, and we want everyone to remember the love your neighbor response.  If you choose to come to the church for in-person events, we honor your choice and we thank you for washing your hands, masking, and refraining from hugging.  (I know it’s hard.)  If you choose to stay home, we honor that, too. We know that whether we are gathered or scattered, Christ is with us.

Just a reminder of the values that have guided us through the pandemic:

Love for Neighbor – We proceed cautiously and with social distancing measures to protect the safety and health of our community.

Access and Equity – We create opportunities to participate how you feel comfortable, online and/or in-person, and will work to ensure experiences in both spaces are in harmony.

Social Justice – We know COVID-19 disproportionately impacts people of color and other marginalized populations. We believe our plan helps protect our vulnerable neighbors.

Service to Others – We acknowledge that helping to keep our neighbors healthy is a part of our service to our community and how we can be a face of God’s love.

Radical Hospitality – We continue to welcome you no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, and we will welcome you literally wherever you are!

Connection and Relationship – We value being in community together. We commit to continuing and expanding opportunities to worship, learn, and fellowship together.

Transparency – We, as a team of ERUCC members, consulted scientifically-based documents, trusted public health officials, and ecumenical leaders to develop our plan for reopening and will continue to do so. We will regularly share information and updates to our members and friends, and we place our trust in you to make the best decisions for you and your family as we move forward together.

Rev. Dr.  Barbara Kershner Daniel

Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ
bkdaniel@erucc.org
301-662-2762

A Full Copy of January 6th Thursday Thoughts can be Found HERE

The 10:30 service can be viewed online at: https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-january-9-2022-849309

January 6, 2022

Dear Congregation:

January 6 is the traditional date for the Festival of Epiphany when we observe the arrival of the magi to worship the child Jesus. January 6, 2014, is the anniversary of the death of Liz Coffey. As much as I try to link the star the magi followed with the bright qualities of Liz, this day will always be a day when I struggle with all the joy that Liz brought into the world as I mourn her loss. And now, we have yet another remembrance for January 6 with the events of last year, when our country experienced an unprecedented challenge to our democracy. Today, I do what I often do. I turn to favorite writers to give me inspiration when I struggle to find the words to express what is on our heart and mind. So, I invite you to ponder with me this reflection by Steve Garnaas-Holmes.

Magi came asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.” —Matthew 2.2

Herod worries for his crown, and his minions for their supremacy, for the way it was once in the thoughts of their hearts.

A crowd storms the capitol. The army is sent to Bethlehem.

And at home, in the palace of my ego my own Herod quakes.

The Sovereign of Love and the Empire of fear have both revealed themselves.

Who will I serve?

Will I cede power to the Sovereign of Love?

Stand with the power of grace alone, the courage of self-giving?

Or try to take the country back for myself and my kind?

Lead me, star of gentleness, home by another road.

Rev. Dr.  Barbara Kershner Daniel

Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ
bkdaniel@erucc.org
301-662-2762