Weekly Words for the Journey

To My Beloved PBBC Community

“For the Power of the Spirit Among the People of God”
God of all power and love,
we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss.
Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire.
Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world:
a people who pray, worship, learn,
break bread, share life, heal neighbors,
bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit.
Wherever and however we gather,
unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission,
that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Prayer offered by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Episcopal Church, USA,
in Washington National Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st, 2020)

These continue to be times of uncertainty and loss for all of us…for our nation, for our world, and for our own communities, friends, families and churches. But I send you love today from your church family, along with warm heartfelt greetings from your community of faith.

Our Church Council was blessed to meet in person for the first time last week, sitting 6 feet apart, wearing masks as needed, sharing news and reports, hopes and fears, plans and possibilities, laughter and prayer…and dreaming of the day we can all be together again!

We watch closely as our state moves through each phase of reopening, and we wait to see which guidelines best serve our plans for safety and well-being. As we carefully study the restrictions for churches reopening, we feel it is not yet in our best interest to resume Sunday morning services. At this point we look toward September to gather in our sanctuary again, and we will continue to record worship services each week. We will also hold small midweek gatherings of 12 people at a time, summer prayer circles called “Bridging the Gap.” We will be making phone calls to sign you up, or you can call the church office to make your reservation.

Eager to see you, to serve you, to keep you safe, and to sustain you in God’s love…
Pastor Claudine

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