Welcome to Holland | March 19

I was so blessed to join our grief group in their final session this past Wednesday evening. One of the resources they’ve shared together is a writing by Emily Pearl Kingsley called, “Welcome to Holland.” In this writing, Kingsley compares the experience of raising a child with a disability as preparing for the trip of a lifetime to Italy. When the plane lands, you discover that you are in Holland and Holland is where you will stay. Her point is that longing for all that you wanted in Italy prevents you from seeing what Holland has to offer. There are many experiences in life that can be compared to this writing. Grief is certainly one of them. I am so proud of the work this group has done (over Zoom). They’ve been vulnerable with each other. They’ve cried tears together. They’ve made each other’s load a little lighter.

Pastor Heather shared this piece, “Welcome to Holland,” in our staff meeting on Tuesday and we agreed that there are many parallels with the experience of grief -- and life after the pandemic. Italy holds many lures, but so does Holland. The experience will be determined by our ability to release expectations and embrace our new reality.

Welcome to Holland, friends. Vaccines, increased immunity, and the added safety of masks means we can now engage in activities that were previously unimaginable. Wednesday night, our youth gathered in the Great Hall (due to rain). They all wore masks and kept distance, but they could actually enjoy worship and games for the first time in a year. This is amazing! Their time together doesn’t look like it used to look. There weren’t as many of them. They couldn’t sit together in a classroom for small group interactions. Still, being able to see each other, worship together, and play together -- that is HUGE! It is not Italy, but Holland is beautiful in its own way. I have a feeling that the coming months will hold many experiences like this. No, it’s not like it used to be. But, the beauty of moving past the pandemic reality will hold its own allure.

Next week, we’ll conclude a year in Disciple Bible Study. We were able to enroll more people this year because we offered three additional sections instead of just the introductory course (Red book). And, enrollment in the introductory course was the highest it’s ever been because Zoom offered flexibility for folks who couldn’t join us if it were in our building. I am so proud of our four sections of students and need to offer a word of thanks to the three teachers that made our expansion possible: Nikki Frasier, Eric Polak, and Dan Wilson.

Teaching Disciple this year was unlike any other year I’ve taught. We didn’t have to offer the course(s) on Wednesday night because we weren’t trying to align with children and youth schedules. We offered the chat time ahead of the class instead of sticking around after to visit, another accommodation to the platform of Zoom. Small groups were smaller because that works better in the Zoom breakout rooms. And, I couldn't use a whiteboard -- which for those of you who’ve taken Disciple with me previously was like tying my hands behind my back -- or so I thought.

But, you know what? I actually enjoyed teaching this year more than any other. I had to do a lot more prep work ahead of time to be ready for each class, but that helped me be a better teacher. Our class discussions actually worked better by using the chat feature instead of having everyone talking together. And, I introduced a new practice of evening prayer that suddenly made sense when we were all at home, concluding our time together at 9:00 pm. I never would’ve done that without being forced to go online. So, Holland has its advantages. In fact, I’m really thinking I’m going to offer Disciple online next year. Maybe I’ll open another section that will be in the building. I don’t know. My vantage point now is that the advantages of being online outweigh the disadvantages.

Don’t stop with the blog this week. Scroll on down in the email for information about our Holy Week observances. We are looking for Christ-centered servants that feel safe helping us host at our two Easter Sunday services. Click here to let us know you can help.

I’m looking forward to our time of worship together this Sunday. I’m also looking forward to our second session of Faith Welcome since the pandemic began. We have five folks that will join us for lunch and conversation about our life together as Faith United Methodist Church. I find it so encouraging that during a pandemic, God has brought us some special folks who want to connect with us and our congregation. I invite you to pray with us for the hour we will share together.

See you Sunday,
Pastor Charla