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Pandemic Losses: Grieving as a Body of Christ

By Rev. Becky Brown | 2021-10-08 | 2 min read

As we approach preparations for our All Saints Sunday, on November 7, we have been continually reminded of our loss as a congregation. As a result of the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, we have not been able to grieve the loss of instrumental and influential church members as we have hoped. Our healing process has been disrupted, and in many cases, we simply lost the ability to create space to remember and proclaim the power of the resurrection. As a Body of Christ, we bear one another’s burdens and stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the wake of tremendous grief and loss. Presiding, providing and being present at funerals is a marker of what it means to claim membership in our community of faith. When restrictions for gathering as a result of COVID arose, we lost our ability to sup- port and grieve alongside one another, as memorial services were postponed or limited to family at the graveside.

This All Saints Sunday, we plan to create space to remember, bear witness, and celebrate the life of all those we have lost since the onset of the pandemic. We will come together for one large service of Death and Resurrection as we give thanks to God for all those lost since March 2020. We are notifying the family of the members we have lost, and are inviting them to provide remembrances on behalf of their loved one. We invite you all to join us in worship on Sunday, November 7th at 4pm in the Sanctuary. Come and remember. Come to support and grieve alongside our sisters and brothers within our Body of Christ. Come give thanks for the powerful and transformative truth of the resurrection. We hope and pray this time will be healing for us all.

During our 3 worship services on Sunday morning, November 7th, we will recognize and remember all the saints who have died in this past year. We will light candles, and read their names. We will give thanks for the saints have impacted our Christian faith, have provided a Christian witness, and inspired us to grow deeper in faith. We hope you will join us for both opportunities to reflect and give thanks.

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