Grace and Peace to you. We know this has been a difficult season for many reasons. We've been praying for you, that your faith would remain strong, and that you'd have eyes to see the ways that God is working in your life on a daily basis.
We wanted to take some time to update you on how Union Chapel is thinking about the future in regards to re-opening. We realize that there are a lot of different views on this subject. We are committed to holding this position with humility and do not claim to have the corner on the right way to do this. We've never had to navigate a global pandemic as a church! Here are a few values that are driving our posture and decision making;
NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE:
We believe that God has called us as a community to embody the presence of Christ to each other, our neighbors, and the world. And the posture of Christ is one that is grounded in the love of the Father. In approaching this issue, we will resist fear, anxiety, and the expectations and agendas they create. We choose to stay grounded in the strength, power, and security that comes from Christ.
CHURCH:
"We stand on the reality that the people of Jesus have worshipped historically and globally under all circumstances, including threats, war, and persecution. Following our rich Christian history, we can take any form to express our worship of Jesus Christ. From filling stadiums to gatherings of 2-3 people, Jesus has promised to be among us."* We have never believed that the church is a building or a large group gathering. We are capable of being a church without these things. We have been and will continue to devote ourselves to the teaching of God's word, fellowship (as we are able through appropriate means), and to the breaking of bread and prayers. We will continue to share what we have with each other and our community. No one is keeping us from these things, and in many ways, the change in our circumstances has made space for us to do some of these things better than before!
HUMILITY AND RIGHTS:
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself" Philippians 2:5-7
As disciples of Jesus, our primary concern is not about our "rights" or our "freedoms", unless the conversation is about laying them down... Jesus exhibited strength and power through weakness and humility. We must follow in this way. So our posture should be one that mirrors Christ, who humbly emptied himself. Our primary concern should be love for our neighbors, our community, and our world. And we should be willing to love sacrificially, even if it means giving up "the way it used to be" for a season.
WISDOM AND SUBMISSION:
With the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, we will continue to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We will also continue to seek the expertise of the scientific community (CDC) and our state and local government. Currently, we are planning on submitting to the required and suggested timelines for safe re-opening. As a church, we will not assume that we know better than these institutions in regard to health and safety. The values of the Kingdom of God and the government will not always align. Currently, however, we are able to continue to worship and be the church that God has called us to be, and we don't think the state and local government are infringing on this calling.
The phases for reopening in the state of Washington are laid out simply in this infographic. Take a look.