For Such A Time as This – January 27, 2021 – Bonnie Rhoads

 To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
 
Joys and Concerns
If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text, or email it to me.  If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with Pastor Bill that week by Thursday evening. 
 
Prayer Request:

• DeeAnn Daniels, admitted to HMC last evening with COVID symptoms, doing better.

 
See this Saturday’s “Weekly Up” email for additional prayer concerns.
 
Thank You:
To all who call others to check in on them and to share our emails and devotions.
 
Today’s Devotion:
I am thankful to Bonnie Rhoads for sharing today’s devotion.
 
Shalom,
Dennis
 
Scripture – Philippians 2:1b (Contemporary English Version)
God’s spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others.
 
Thoughts
Brene’ Brown, author, speaker and university research professor, has written a book entitled Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone.  Although I read this years ago, the title recently called me again as we continue to live in the wilderness world of a pandemic.  In one chapter she speaks of “retreating to our bunkers” in order to avoid the wilderness.  And although she was referring more to spiritual and relational withdrawal, such comments are also most appropriate for our current medical situation.
 
Many of us lament that the most challenging aspect of distancing to stay safe is the isolation which results.  But let us not forget that, although we are still physically apart, we are not alone.  We are, indeed, in this together.  To quote Brown, “An experience of collective pain does not deliver us from grief or sadness; it is a ministry of presence.  These moments - [or even weeks and months!] - remind us that we are not alone in our darkness and that our broken heart is connected to every heart that has known pain since the beginning of time.” 
 
So, let us be reminded of this collective ministry of presence, even as we avoid public gatherings or even family get-togethers, even as we attend ZOOM PCoB Team meetings and virtual, recorded worship services from our separate homes.  Although we continue to remain in our “bunkers,” our hearts continue to lovingly connect.
 
Prayer
Beloved God, join with us as we join with each other.  Remind us of Your love as we remind each other of our love for, and support from, community.  Amen.