Worship at home with Hillview

Celebrating Sage

What a difference a month makes!  I imagine that many of your lives have changed as drastically as mine did during March. Though my location has become a lot more stable, it has felt like an emotional roller coaster some days—from the deep worry of living in a very anxious time when vulnerability is so real to the laughter that comes when weariness leads to silliness and many things in between.  Your experiences are unique to you, but I imagine that there are enough similarities that you can relate. 
 
In the past month, from my perspective through my computer screen, churches and pastors have shifted from “business as usual” to “almost everything is completely different.”  From everything I can see and hear, these shifts have happened beautifully!  Pastors and worshipers alike have engaged in tremendous creativity!  Several people in each church have learned new technology and taught it to others (sometimes many dozens of others).  Many of us have made all manner of ridiculous mistakes and mindless blunders in the midst of so much change and newness—and it’s turned out just fine!  No, that’s not right.  It’s turned out wonderfully! 
 
Our humanity is showing, friends. With some of the busyness or at least familiar routines stripped away, everyone I know seems to be recognizing things that matter very much but had been pushed aside.  Our sanctuaries don’t do much good right now, but the scriptures seem more valuable than ever.  I miss singing surrounded by other voices, but it’s profound for me to sing out my praise when mine is the only voice in my house.  I haven’t robed up as an acolyte in decades, but now I light candles each Sunday morning and focus my attention on a screen.  And when I pray Psalm 121 (“I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?”) I literally look up from the screen and see the mountains in the distance.  Though the technology we need is more complicated (and brand new for many), there are countless gifts in the ways that this time of global pandemic has caused me to simplify my life. 
 
I am in tune with the well-justified fears and harsh realities, too. I find myself being particularly prayerful for those who grieve and those who are not safe in their own homes.  Countless others need additional prayers and support at this time, too, like first responders, hospital staff of all kinds, small business owners, the unemployed and underemployed, those with compromised immune systems, persons in recovery and battling addiction, people who had too much isolation before this began or who are not permitted to have visitors now, and on and on.  But I am grateful for simple blessings, quieter world, and for all who are adapting to care for others in new ways that promote health and wholeness. 
 
Thank you for your willingness—pastors and laity, alike—to try new things, to connect and spread love in new ways, to serve in the ways you are called for such a time as this.  You give me so much hope!
 
Peace,

Rev. Karen Hernandez
Sage District Superintendent
karen@umoi.org
(208) 697-4510

Helpful Links for Churches
Greater Northwest Area of the UMC—corona virus information
https://greaternw.org/coronavirus/
 
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky’s letters (most recent listed at top of page)
https://greaternw.org/category/blog/pastoral-letters/
The most recent letter (March 24) directs all UMCs in the Greater Northwest Area to hold no in-person events through April 30. 
 
Sage District Facebook page (including links to online worship across the district, posted on Sunday mornings; no Facebook account/login required)
https://www.facebook.com/SageDistrict/
 
While the bishop’s instructions to us are important, local government and health department regulations that may be more stringent must also be followed. 
Idaho—Official Resources for Novel Coronavirus
https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/
 
Oregon—Coronavirus Information and Resources
https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19
 
 
Simple, Technology-Free Ways for Anyone to Stay Connected
If you are feeling isolated or sensing a need to be connected through your faith, here are two simple suggestions:
 
First, you are invited to join with Christians around the world in saying The Lord’s Prayer at 12 noon local time.  This began with the Pope issuing an invitation, but has grown to daily practice.  Cabinet has participated, and DS Karen is practicing this act of prayer and solidarity daily.  You, too, can add your voice to this new timing of an old tradition. 
 
Second, ring a bell!  Bell-ringing has sprung up in different places around the world (like Catholic churches in Chicago, churches across France  and Ireland, everyone ringing bells as a sign of gratitude and encouragement in India, and various towns across the US).  Pastors are ringing chimes or bells of all kinds during our Tuesday calls.  For those who are not on the call, feel free to ring with your pastors at 2 p.m. MDT / 1 p.m. PDT every Tuesday. 
 
Where is the DS?
At home, of course! She’s also on the computer…a lot! Here’s a glimpse of some recurring events or those that might interest or even include you:
 
Tuesdays @ 2 p.m. MDT / 1 p.m. PDT            Sage District Pastors’ Zoom (see below)
Wednesdays @ 11 a.m.                                  Cabinet Zoom
 
April 15 – 17          Cabinet meetings via Zoom
April 18                 Legislative Assembly via Zoom
April 27                 Guiding Coalition via Zoom
 
If you would like the DS present with your congregation in any kind of online gathering, please contact Karen at karen@umoi.org with date, time, and link.  You are always welcome to ask is she’s available. In this unique time when one can attend events in Ashton and La Grande with a few clicks, invitations are especially welcome and much more likely to be accepted! 

Sage Pastor Zoom Calls Each Tuesday

As we seek to stay connected during this time of physical distancing, there are weekly calls for all Sage District Pastors (including clergy and lay pastors, active and retired).  Please have a bell, chime, or something similar handy for use during the call. 
 
If you need collegial conversation, interaction with people who have the same struggles, or prayer, please be sure to join in.  If you do not particularly need this kind of support on a given Tuesday, please also join in to be present for your colleagues. 
 
In this time together, we are praying, sharing concerns, offering creative ideas and networking to assist one another, inquiring about needs (personal, congregational, and community needs), and seeking hope. 

Here are the links you need:

Carla's menagerie A Word from your Lay Leader It’s easy to feel anxious right now.  We don’t know when our lives will return to ‘our normal.’  For me the hardest thing has been the social distancing.  I have always been a people person and have thrived on my interaction with family, friends and even strangers I meet.  In this time of isolation I decided to turn the negative into an opportunity for greater self-reflection and remember the things, people, and times in my life that have brought me joy.  Even those times of hardship, sadness and grief there were lessons to be learned.  I believe we learn best not when the lesson is easy but when it is hard.  Through adversity and hardship comes growth and faith.  Being able to rely on our faith in times of crisis can lift us up from the uncertainty of what is happening.  Having a relationship with Christ will sustain us through these difficult times.  It will give us a foundation to build for the future.  Now is not the time for hoarding but the time for sharing. It’s not the time for mistrust and anger but love and compassion.  Even though we can’t reach out and physically touch each other a simple smile, a heartfelt thank you, and simple words of encouragement can lift our spirits or brighten someone’s day.   Be especially aware and appreciative of those around us working so hard to keep us safe and provided for.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you now.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27 Blessings and peace during this time of unrest.  Carla Anderson Sage District Lay Leader carlaanders99@gmail.com Editors note: the above picture Carla sent with a note: "Proof that all God's creatures can live in harmony! Our turkeys, peafowl and a bunny!" Links and Resources Fund Balance Reports are due April 30. That being said, health and safety are the top priority, so it's understood if reports are late. Watch the Greater Northwest Area website for any updates on the Shared Annual Conference Session scheduled to happen this June in Puyallup, WA. Registration has been put on hold as area-wide leaders continue to gather information. UMCOR pick up dates early this month have been postponed. The Oregon-Idaho Reconciling Ministries gathering in April has been cancelled. Check here for more information. The Lay Servant Ministries basic course, scheduled for April 17 & 18 in Tualatin has also been postponed. Check out the conference laity Facebook page to learn more.