Greetings, Beloved Community,
Can you believe it? The end of the year is here, and we have been together for three months. It was wonderful to be able to gather together for Christmas Eve worship in-person and online. We had the gift of beautiful music and good cheer. My favorite part of Christmas Eve has always been the sharing of the Christ Light and singing “Silent Night” by candlelight. It always touches my heart.
And now, we enter into the New Year and the season of Epiphany – Lent and Easter are just around the corner. In addition to our Sunday worship service this week, I invite you to join me on New Year’s Eve between 5 and 6 pm for a special farewell to 2021 and a welcoming of 2022. Bring your prayers of release and prayers for manifestation.
Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Council and I have unanimously agreed that it is most prudent that we return to worship ONLINE ONLY this Sunday and until further notice. Our health officials are encouraging people to stay home for New Year’s celebrations as it is expected that the current surge will surpass last winter’s numbers in positive cases. Many social gathering places and restaurants are voluntarily closing until there is better information about the spread of the Omicron variant and feel it is safe to reopen.
We are fortunate to have the resources, and we know we can do this. Your health and well-being are of utmost importance to us. If you are feeling any distress, please write to me at pastor@iucfc.org, and we can schedule private Zoom room time.
Good times are here and there are good times to come.
Be strong, take heart.
With love,
Rev. Michael Cronin