March 29, 2020
As I settled into my desk chair, tea mug to hand, to participate in the Old South Church’s Sunday service, it was great to see a hello from Pat Bergstrom, and then one from Michelle Sabourin – and then at the end of the service, an Amen from Sandra Belson! It was almost like being together.
I’m an introvert; normally, it doesn’t bother me to be alone. But this morning as I woke up I realized how deeply difficult this would be even for me, if I didn’t have a dog. I talk to her, she nudges me with her nose to say “it’s breakfast time.” I let her out and she barks at me when she’s ready to come in. She’s sleeping in her bed behind me as I type, gently snoring (I told someone the other day that gentle snoring is her super power) and somehow creating a sense that I am not alone, marooned in my house 24/7.
. . . and then I thought of many of you, living alone…. and I imagine folks who aren’t used to spending 24/7 with their spouses sometimes wonder if it’s ok to say that they’d just like a few hours to themselves? This is difficult.
I can’t say how grateful I am to churches like Old South who can put a worship service on line. Worshipping, and worshipping together with those of you who were there, grounds me for the week.
An update: Nancy MacNeill tells me that our parsonage tenant reported a leak in the basement. RotoRooter has come and replaced a broken pipe, and all appears well again. Aren’t we fortunate to have a tenant who noticed the problem? And Nancy to solve it!
As always, Donald Hall remains in our prayers. He’s at Nemasket Healthcare Center, 314 Marion Road, Middleboro MA 02346 and his cell phone number is 508-930-0051. His kidneys are failing and he is on hospice care. In this holy time, he welcomes your cards.
Today, I offer a prayer of blessing to those of us who are home alone, to those of us who are with family, to those of us who are worried, afraid, concerned, discouraged. I offer a blessing to those of us who are working as hard as they can, to those who serve the public as state officials, town workers, health care folks. I offer a blessing to those who are keeping our church going in every way. Each of you, every one of you lives with the everlasting blessing of God to guide your way. Amen.
Your giving is essential in the continuation of our ministries and supports the on-going work of being church. Please send in your checks to the church at 5 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham.
To Believe is to Care. . . To Care is to Do 