Just a week ago, Gov. Walz announced that “July 1 or sooner” was the deadline for the end of Minnesota’s mask mandate. Well…it certainly was “sooner.” While some health precautions are still recommended, I am looking forward to being able to see you face-to-face.
Civil mandates expire – sometimes quite suddenly. God’s love never ends. In the midst of rapid transition, Sunday’s reading from 1 John 4:7 provides timely pastoral guidance for us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” Christian charity is God’s “love received and given.” Particularly in these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we remember that God pours His love into us through the Holy Spirit and commissions us to show and share His love to others in word and deed.
Church of the Redeemer, love one another, especially in this time of transition. Whether your reaction to the recent public health changes is relief, apprehension, or some mixture of the two, show charity to others. Love others as God has loved you. Just as it took time for us to learn how to practice public health precautions, it will also take time to get used to the relaxation of those precautions.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. – 1 Cor. 13:4-8a.
Based on informal conversations over the past several weeks, I am confident that greater than 75% of the adults in the church have received one or two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. If you’re not sure if you’re included in that informal count, you may respond to this email. Your response is strictly voluntary and I will not save record of vaccination status or our communication.
In light of updated guidance from the CDC and MDH, mask use is no longer expected during church functions. However:
- Adults and children who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear a mask.
- Social distancing is expected indoors.
- Mitigation protocols may be adjusted according to emerging local rules and regulations.
Charity, always. Show mercy to each other’s vulnerabilities and “so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
I am blessed to share in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation with you through worship, testimony, and faithful presence.
blessings in Christ,
Paul+