Dear Central Family
Our hearts break for the open grief our broader community bears for the numerous injustices still perpetrated today. We can hear Habakkuk’s lament echo in the cry which rises from the grief:
How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
May we all find ways to be present to the pain, listen to the longing, and respond with love.
Here are a few updates for the coming weeks. as we continue to navigate the changing phases of Indiana
- June 7th Worship @ 10 – The service will again adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and face masks. If you have not already done so, please register here if you will be attending. We are still encouraging those who are at-risk to participate in the regular service from home via our livestream on Facebook. We will be having drive-thru communion with outdoor hymn singing following worship on Sunday. If you are unable to pick-up communion then, we will be having drive-up prayer and communion on Monday from 9 – 10:30. If you cannot make either and would like communion delivered, please register at the bottom of the home page here.
- June 14th Worship until July 5- We will be increasing seating capacity, but still blocking off half of every other row to ensure social distancing. We will still be asking those who come to worship to wear a facemask in the building. Nursery care will be available on a case by case basis, please contact Pastor Jen if you are interested. Sunday School rooms will remain closed until July 5th.
- The church is not innocent in the systemic racism which we continually find amongst us. Let us be a people who has ears to hear. The study on The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby will begin soon in the evenings via Zoom. Please contact Pastor Joseph (joseph@richmondcumc.com) if you will be joining.
- The Men’s prayer group has begun meeting Wednesdays at noon in the Veteran’s Park. They are wearing masks and social distancing. Please contact Bob Hall with more questions.
- We are asking for devotionals and testimonies from the congregation to be shared in an upcoming lamplighter. If you feel led to share, please submit yours by Monday, June 15th to Christin at christin@richmondcumc.com.
- We are continuing our Reading the Bible in One year. This coming week we will be in the wisdom literature of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Feel free to join today and download the Read Scripture app or pick up a copy of the readings in the office.
2020 has been a strange journey so far. At times it feels as though the next news story, the next wave, will unmoor us and knock us adrift. Let us remember where our hope rests in these times, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19). Friends, together we will journey through this all.
Yours in Christ,
Central UMC Staff
