​The number 40 is a great example of this. The story of the flood, for instance, gives us some insight into what is going on in the Hebrew’s 40 years in the wilderness. But the wilderness stories also bring out new dimensions in the flood story. Jesus and the Gospel writers will draw on both of these stories when Jesus goes to the wilderness, and for Christians, Jesus’ wilderness experience deepens our reading of the earlier stories as well.

So what comes to your mind when you think of the number 40 and the Bible?
 
Which brings us to Lent. Lent is a 40-day season that goes back at least to the 4th century. It was a season of preparation for the highest of Holy Day: The Paschal Triduum (evening of Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday). The 40 day period, of course, draws on this biblical theme of 40. But what do these stories teach us about our Lenten journey? How does the biblical tradition draw out different facets of what Lent is about? Well one thing is for sure: giving up chocolate and fish on Fridays are not part of the biblical text (though it does stand to reason that Noah and his family ate fish on Fridays…and most days of the week, for that matter).
 
What has Lent meant for you during your faith journey? Maybe your experience and practice has changed over the years? How has Lent impacted you? Do you have any Lenten stories of blessing, transformation, or even confusion?

After one of the strangest Holy Weeks most of us can remember, we are on track for a very special (holy) Holy Week this year. Please consider joining in on these various opportunities as we walk with Jesus through the Passion. Masks are requested at all events, required at indoor events.

​It has been over one year since we worshipped together in our sanctuary, something that had been as routine for many of us as having breakfast in the morning. This has been a difficult time and we are glad that spread has been on the decline while vaccines are quickly being distributed. As we resume in-person worship, we will do so deliberately and with as much wisdom as we can. We continue to look to the overall well-being of our members and the safety of our neighbors as we make decisions. We continue to ask questions of purpose and strategy.

​What are our goals as we make decisions about Sunday worship?

• To have a physical experience of our church family and the energy of the Holy Spirit that comes from the embodied presence of the Jesus community
• To encourage one another with prayer, song, word, and sacrament in a direct way
• To embody God’s love with one another
• To equip and empower one another to live the life of Christ throughout the week
• To promote both physical safety and human/spiritual connection
• To be good neighbors to our community, doing what we can to reduce the spread of the virus and support vulnerable individuals and groups.

​Strategies and Protocols:

• If you are exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please do not attend the in-person worship service, but you are more than welcome to join on Zoom or watch the stream live or later.
• Masks should be worn at all times on church grounds—except when partaking in Communion. Masks should cover both the nose and mouth and not be removed to speak.
• Personal physical distance of 6ft. should be maintained with those outside of household.
• Absolutely no touching (hugs, handshakes, elbow bumps) outside of households. Waves, signs of the cross, air-fist-bumps, etc. are good alternatives. Please do not even ask to hug, shake, etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but please minimize use and avoid occupied restrooms if possible.
• The in-person liturgy will begin at 10am. Doors will open at 9:50am. If you arrive earlier than that, please wait in your car, or you may interact with others with face coverings and distancing outside the building.
• If you come down with symptoms or receive a COVID diagnosis, we are depending on you to be candid with Pastor Jon. This trust is essential if you are planning to attend in-person worship.
• Windows and doors will remain open when possible. We recommend bringing a blanket, dressing warmly, and/or sitting away from the windows if this is a concern. In freezing weather, we will not open the windows.
• There will be fans blowing as well as the vacuum fan at the top of the sanctuary, in the effort to keep our own particle emissions from concentrating around us

As we move forward, these protocols will likely be relaxed and altered. But whatever the protocols are in a moment, please join us in taking them seriously in care for one another.

We also expect feelings of awkwardness or a sense of “this isn’t what I remember church feeling like.” That may come from the new protocols or even from anxieties stemming from the ongoing risks of the virus or from being a little “rusty” with human contact and in-person worship. We encourage you to notice these feelings and give yourself and the community time to readjust.

Concerning whether to attend, we urge you to make a decision prayerfully and in consideration of the risks and costs as well as the gifts and benefits. Be assured, we will do our best to maintain these protocols and ask for your help in doing so. When everyone generously abides by the protocols, we create a safe space for those who are concerned about the risks and everyone is able to focus on the good of being together. Our summer experiment with outdoor distanced worship was a success in this regard. We thank you for that, and look forward to this new shift to something a little more familiar.
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God bless you all,
Point Place UCC Leadership Team and Board of Trustees