Like many people, I have been thinking of the year-ago week that seems so long ago. This past Monday, March 8, marked a full year since I preached from the pulpit at Langhorne Presbyterian Church. I had already announced my July 1 retirement. Who could have known as we locked the doors after the second service, that March 8, not June 28, would not only be my final Sunday in the pulpit from which I had preached for over twelve years, but also the last time I’d see many members of our congregation.
We did not know many things that second full week of March, 2020. Who could have known? Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared on 60 Minutes March 8, and told us, “There’s no reason to be walking around with a mask.” On Tuesday, March 10, New York Mayor DeBlasio said, “I don’t want to see Broadway go dark if we can avoid it. I want to see if we can strike some kind of balance.” On Thursday, the NBA canceled the remainder of its season and on Friday the NCAA canceled the rest of March madness. No governor had yet issued a stay-at-home order, but news began to spread about school districts canceling classes – but just for a week or two.
What a crazy week, and in recalling it, no fault or blame is implied. It was a crazy week.
At the church we had already posted those CDC placards about sanitizing your hands, covering coughs, and maintaining something they were calling “social distance.” On Sunday, March 8, we had implemented a no hugs and no handshake policy, though I think I received a number of fist bumps as worshipers left the Sanctuary. We’d also formed a medical advisory team composed of four doctors and two nurses who would advise the Session, our elders and me, as we made decisions about what to do.
On Thursday, March 12, we sent a notice to the congregation saying we had not yet canceled any events at the church. Our plans will continue to unfold in response to what we hear from the Pennsylvania and Bucks County Departments of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and other reliable sources. LPC health professionals are also advising us as to any LPC-specific measures we might take.
On Friday, March 13, we sent another notice with much the same information. Some have asked us about plans for any schedule changes at the church. Our best answer for anything other than a day or two out is simply, “We don’t know.” …Our decisions will be based on our values: faith, hope, love, care, compassion, wisdom, and prudence.
Finally, on Saturday, March 14, we made our call: Governor Wolf has asked for the suspension of larger gatherings in Bucks County. Accordingly, LPC will cancel worship services for the next three Sundays. …We will continue to monitor the situation and make additional decisions based on the requests of the governing authorities, best medical practice, and our desire to witness to the hope and love of the Gospel.
You know, in hindsight, our foresight was pretty good. Except for the next three Sundays part.
Each of those decisions was a tough decision to make. I remain thankful to our medical team, fellow staff members, and our Elders who were a part of each decision.
Not everyone agreed we made good decisions. After the Thursday email to the congregation, something of a wait and see message, one of our members who was tired of waiting replied with an email of her own. Whichever cable news network she was watching was in full panic mode and, quite literally, she thought we would all die if we didn’t padlock the church doors immediately. I guess she thought I made the decisions by myself as she addressed me alone, You are endangering the senior citizens of the church. You show no regard for their well-being. What will your response be if one of the elderly (members) of the church gets sick with the virus and does not have the ability to fight the virus. Your lack of leadership amazes me.
It seems that not everyone thought we were making good decisions.
We had lots of decisions to make between March 8 and June 28. All in all, I think we did a good job. Loss and sorrow touched our congregation in very real ways, but not as a result of bad policy decisions.
A couple of thoughts as I reflect on that year-ago week that seems so long ago and as I think of pastors and elders who are beginning to make decisions about reopening and masks and this thing they call social distance. First, I am glad I retired on July 1. Second, and more importantly, wherever your church, whoever your pastor or leaders, pray for them. And be kind to them. The decisions they have to make are not easy.
Saint Andrew friends: We finish our Ephesians study this Sunday at 9:00. I will be preaching, as well. “Dying to Reputation.” Read Philippians 3:2-16. In person at the church, 10:15, or livestream at the Saint Andrew YouTube channel.
AND, YES, SPRING AHEAD FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME