A year ago, the coronavirus completely upended our way of living. None of us stepped into ministry imagining we’d be serving under such challenging and strange circumstances.
In love, colleagues in ministry across the Greater Northwest Area shuttered the doors of our churches and ministry settings to in-person services. In love, we stopped making pastoral visits to homes of our congregants for fear of spreading this virus we knew little about. In love, we picked up our smart phones, video cameras and a whole host of other devices and became the tech-pert that wasn’t necessarily part of our calls to ministry.
Yet, in love, we have carried on for a whole year – continuing to find creative ways to carry out the ministries we were already engaged in while adding on the new burden of ministering to people in digital ways. In love, people are signing up for vaccines and helping others in our communities figure out how to do it as well.
Many of you are doing so much more than you ever thought you’d signed up for when feeling the spirit of God nudging you toward the work of the church.
These contributions and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed by Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky or any of the leadership of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area. Out of deep appreciation and care for our leaders, Bishop Elaine and the Greater Northwest Area cabinet members encourage pastors, staff and worship teams to be given multiple back-to-back days of renewal leave for rest, sabbath and renewal.
If you are a member of the Staff Parish Relations Committee please encourage your pastor, staff and other leaders to take this renewal time. Support these leaders in being able to take this time within a month after Easter.
The Greater NW Area is putting together a worship service for Sunday, April 11. The worship elements will be posted and available at www.greaternw.org by March 26. The worship service can be adapted and used at another date as well and should help leaders be able to take this renewal leave.
Offices in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest conferences will be closed March 29-April 2, 2021. All conference staff and cabinet members will be taking this time for their own renewal. Leadership will still be available for urgent needs and support.
With deep gratitude,
Your Greater Northwest Area leadership team
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