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praying and support

Friends, the world, and our corner of it in particular, are responding to the spread of the COVID-19, or Coronavirus. It behooves people of faith to respond with love, prayer and preparedness.

It is my prayer that each of you is in a place of safety, away from those already infected, and that you are preparing for a quiet few weeks. As of last night, Salem Keizer Schools will close by Mar 16, reopening on Mar 31. Our governor has stated no gatherings of 250 are allowed at this time. While Holy Cross is not that large a church, we must still pay attention.

For three weeks, we have altered our communion practice, our passing of the peace practice (we speak a greeting, but do not touch – our hands are held in a prayer position), and I have been refraining from shaking your hands at the door. We have a large beautiful sanctuary and I have been advising you all to sit apart from each other. So many preparations. But now, I think we need to pause and speak plainly.

The church has always been a place of safety and of solace. I know many of you go to church for that, though seeing your fellow believers is also high on your expectation. Therefore, this sunday, March 15th, the church will be open for worship, and prayer, with special emphasis on prayers for those affected, and those concerned about the virus. You, however, have an important part to play. PLEASE Self-select (that means decide to stay home) if you are in a vulnerable population, or have high concern for your own and others safety. We at Holy Cross (pastor and council) wish to make our space available for prayer and worship in this time of uncertainty. But your job is to DECIDE IF YOU OUGHT TO COME.

On the practical side, we also will cease any food or beverages served on our premises for the time being. We will monitor and abide by governmental directives regarding gatherings like ours. Be safe. Be well. Pray. For others.

As the picture attached to this document tells you, there are many affected  more than you and I. Our job, as Christians is to pray for them. Call me, or email me if you want to talk

Pastor Patricia

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Spring forward – or how living in Flagstaff ruined me for life

It is that time again, when we set our clocks ahead 1 hour at 1 am (Sunday, March 8, 2020), or if you are one of those difficult people with an iphone – your phone does it for you and  you are none the wiser.

I spent 8 years in Flagstaff, Arizona, arriving in 1997. Those years were filled with long mountain vistas, monsoon rains for Labor Day and – Perpetual Standard Time. No one has to worry about setting their clocks up or down or sideways (of course, that’s not true on the Navajo reservation which spans Arizona and New Mexico, but I am not responsible for that!).

Continue reading “Spring forward – or how living in Flagstaff ruined me for life”

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Staying safe, in these days of coronavirus concern

Friends,  it seems that we have our first case of coronoavirus in Oregon as of yesterday. It was only a matter of time. We are people of faith, so I know your first impulse is not to panic. It seems a good time to go over a few things, though, so I  attach here (in English and Spanish) the suggestions from the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles who recently traveled in the far east. One reason I attach her suggestions is because of her experience recently, but also, because it is in English and Spanish! The practicality of these suggestions is good – don’t go out if you’re sick, Wash your hands! Wash your hands! Wash your hands!

But, before we get to that – here’s my plan for Holy Cross – I’m going to head out this morning to purchase hand sanitizer for each pew (hoping there has not been a run at the store!). AND, I wonder if any of you could come to church EARLY tomorrow (Sunday) like 9 am – to wipe down the pews with disinfectant wipes? come on down!  Continue reading “Staying safe, in these days of coronavirus concern”

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Faith at any age

Here’s a Lenten devotion for the whole family

Every year someone asks me what I’m giving up for Lent (that 40 day period before Holy Week where many Christians seek an inward journey, a connection with the holy).

I used to give up ice cream. There were years I gave up wine. Chocolate, cookies, all those things have hit the list.  But I don’t give up things for lent anymore. I take something on. Just one thing. If I take on just one thing, perhaps my lenten discipline will succeed.lent-share.jpg

Last night at Ash Wednesday services I invited people to a “Holy Lent” and talked about “Lenten discipline”. I’m not sure what folks think when I say that, but for me, a Holy Lent is a mindful lent. Just a few weeks of the year where I remember that I am dust, and to dust I shall return.

I am very pleased with the idea of a Lenten discipline being a devotion – reading, praying something every day for the Lenten season. And I have included one that I found that makes me happy. Its for all ages, for families, for singles, for couples. Try it out, won’t you? (It started on Sunday, but you can start today). Or pick up a devotion at Holy Cross, or even search the web for one that makes you happy. Take on a discipline for lent with me, won’t you? I think we will both be better for it. –

Pastor Patricia+

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Fear, and what comes next

The kids at Holy Cross let me bring out my Daniel Tiger doll every so often. And we all learn from the very young tiger who is learning things often for the very first time.

The adults at Holy Cross let me sometimes enter into discussions about the life of faith through the eyes of a very young tiger. Because I think we are all dealing with fear today. We cover it up – some of us ‘eat our fears and anxieties’ – mine are most appreciated when they are chocolate dipped. Some of us become angry people – shaking our fists in rage at the ‘fools’ who run things, or the ‘idiots’ who want change to come. Some of us, driven by fear, disappear into ecstasy – (yeah, this is hard to explain) – religious ecstasy is ancient, but modern ecstasy finds worship, prayer and the like to be a vehicle to back out of the conflict we see around us.

But we are transfigured. On the mountaintop in Matthew, Jesus tells the terrified disciples, ‘Get up. Do not be afraid.’ He’s been showing them in his ministry, by healing, and casting out demons, and feeding the people all along. His power is shown to them in a fearful display on Transfiguration, as Elijah and Moses join him in glorious light! But this power display is not to frighten, but to inspire. This life they are called to join is glorious – don’t minimize that – don’t let the fear take hold.

So, when we all get frightened, like Daniel Tiger does, we could learn from Daniels’ mother who tells him to think of something happy. And then what? move forward, step by step, do not be afraid. What might we accomplish if we could move beyond fear to action in the name of the King?

My friends, take a breath, go to that place inside yourselves where we worship our Lord – and change the world.

Pastor Patricia