What Is This New World We Are Forging?

As many of you know, I am a Christian, and these days worship as an Episcopalian.

Most all our churches for this denomination in the US are currently closed to in- person worship. We would like the in-person fellowship. It is important to us.

As is the reception of the Eucharist

 But it is not essential.

It is not required, in today's opportunities for "remote presence" to actually be in each other's immediate physical presence.

When we gather together through Zoom, or a Facebook Live session, or Periscope, or any other "virtual meeting" technology, we are still "gathered together."

My own parish is having virtual services through July, and likely into August. The current plan for our  annual Diocesan meeting, the "high point" of the diocesan annual calendar, will be "virtual," rather than physical.

This is both a trying, and an affirming time for those of us who consider ourselves "people of faith."

Trying, because of our losing our experience of in-person collective worship, and reconciling, somehow, how our G/d is allowing this pandemic to strike across the globe.  Also trying in the absolute terms of the anguish, however many removes, that we see in those who have been stricken, and their families.   Also trying, for me, at least, is to forgive those who, in their ignorance, or for advantage, are willfully enabling the spread of this disease, by promoting ignorance and false witness about the disease and its effects.

It's affirming, because we see those, EMT, doctors, nurses, patient aides, janitors with mops and disinfecting wipes,  who are sacrificing their chances at health by staying on their jobs. They may not be those who worship as I do, or even worship at all, but all are following Christ's strictures to care for the poor, and the ill, and yes, including those who attempt comfort for the dying and their families.

We see the care for our fellow congregants, in caution, not fear, when we use these virtual gatherings to acknowledge our faith.

We will have problems.

When physical worship resumes, how do we accommodate those who may be otherwise excluded, such as those who do not have the tools for telepresence, or who would have to risk their health on public transit, or risks to those who are frail and fragile of health?

How will this period of enforced distancing affect us?  Think of how it could affect those who are seeking new homes to worship through?  How will it affect the outreach, and services, for the marginalized populations?

Will our congregations dwindle past viability?  Or will we somehow develop new modes of worship and service that will sustain us?

I honestly do not know.

I can only hope, and pray, that I will be able to witness what happens.