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April 23, 2020 - Issue 174

Dear <<First Name>>,

“You should conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your dwelling in a strange land.”

1 Peter 1:17b from The Common English Bible

My daily Bible devotional reading included this verse from 1 Peter today. It stopped me short. That’s what we are living in: a strange land. We are living in the land of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a land full of fear, uncertainty, restrictions, growing unemployment, and parents having to home school their kids.

It is also a land of unbelievable compassion and selflessness, where healthcare workers sacrifice their own health and sense of security to care for the sick; grocery and other essential retail workers walk into work every day wondering if today is the day they will be infected by COVID-19; janitors, bus drivers, and other essential workers enter spaces potentially infected with this invisible virus, to help the rest of us get what we need in order to survive in this pandemic.

Yes, we are dwelling in a strange land, albeit a very different land than the writer of 1 Peter had in mind when writing to that community. We are not facing persecution in the same way that early Christian community was. We instead must face social isolation, despair, loneliness, economic struggles caused by the pandemic, and fear of public spaces.

Even so, the message from 1 Peter speaks to us in the land of COVID-19. “Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your dwelling in a strange land.” Reverence. It stopped me up short. I realized something: this passage reminds me to change my whole way of responding to this strange land and time in which we live.

If I live with an attitude of reverence, I remain open to what comes, welcoming it and exploring what gifts it has to offer. If I live with an attitude of reverence, I can no longer huddle in fear behind my door at home. Just to be clear: I will continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear a mask around others. Conducting ourselves with reverence during this time rather encourages us to respond to whatever comes with grace, openness, love, and compassion – not fear.

Of course, that is always easier in theory than in practice. I wonder what it would be like for us to start each day this next week with this simple phrase: I welcome this day and all it brings with reverence.
I hope you continue to stay in touch, and let me know what you learn from trying that out each day. And, of course, know that you are not alone. I pray for each of you. Reach out to each other. Ask for help when you need it. Offer what help you can in the socially distant and appropriate ways you can.

Much love,

Sunday Worship Online: 10 a.m.

  • New! Go to our website: https://ppmcc.org and click on the Quick Link to live-stream.
  • New! For audio only, call (339) 209-4081. (This is the new system we tried last week, and we promise it will work this week! No access code needed.)
  • The service is still also live-streamed to our Facebook page and our YouTube channel.
Click Here to Donate Now
Love Is My Religion

This Sunday, we continue the series that began on Easter, with the theme song "Love Is My Religion" by Ziggy Marley. Listen to the song by clicking on this link.

Remember to text prayer requests to Diane at 719-233-8982 (or post them in the comments on Facebook) for inclusion in the Community Prayers, and to gather your "bread" and "wine" (whatever form those may take) to participate in Communion during worship. Please also gather a palm-sized rock and a candle.
Zoom Adds Privacy Protections
And It Changes How You Join a Meeting


Passwords
If you join one of our meetings via a meeting link, there will be no change to your joining experience. If you join a meeting by logging into Zoom and manually entering a Meeting ID, you may also need to enter a password. When passwords are needed, we'll provide them.

Waiting Room
When you join any meeting on Zoom, you'll automatically be placed in a Waiting Room. If your name doesn't display on your "square," the host will ask you who you are. Please turn your microphone on and identify yourself, and she will admit you to the meeting (if you're not a "Zoom-bomber.")
Online Coffee with Pastor Alycia
Mondays through Fridays at Noon


The people who have been "checking in" in this way are forming such a strong bond of fellowship! Log in for inspiring conversation with your Pastor and other PPMCC folks. It will help you stay on track!

Use this link for every occurrence of this meeting: https://zoom.us/j/378443966
Or open the Zoom app and enter this Meeting ID: 378 443 966.
Or, for audio only, call in to 312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID.

Online Exercise Sessions
Mondays through Saturdays at 9 a.m.


Don't be intimidated if you haven't exercised in a while. Diane will adapt the routines to your comfort level, and you can turn your camera off so no one can see you. The important thing is that you move!

Use this link for every occurrence of this event: https://zoom.us/j/356607657
Or open the Zoom app and enter this meeting ID: 356 607 657
Or, for audio only, call in to 312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID.

Online Happy Hour with Pastor Alycia
Wednesdays & Fridays at 5:30 p.m.


You never know what's going to come up in this light-hearted conversation! Don't miss the opportunity to hear your Pastor's delightful laugh, and to add your own laugh to the mix!

Use this link for every occurrence of this event: https://zoom.us/j/327479880
Or open the Zoom app and enter this meeting ID: 327 479 880
Or, for audio only, call in to 312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID.
How Can We Help?

Please, if you have a need during this time, fill out the Request Congregational Care form on our website. Use this link (https://ppmcc.org/request-congregational-care/) to access the form. Several people have volunteered to serve in these capacities, and they truly want to help you.
Also, please use this form to submit prayer requests for our prayer team.

This Monday, April 27, is food pantry day again. Please let Pastor Diane (719-233-8982) know if you would like her to pick up a food box for you. We'll find someone to deliver it to you if transportation is an issue. The contents of these boxes change every time, so (like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates) you never know what you're gonna get! It's always a great surprise!

#GivingTuesdayNow on May 5

Giving Tuesday is an international day of giving that takes place each year just after Thanksgiving. Because of the overwhelming need in our communities caused by the COVID-19 crisis, Tuesday, May 5th will be a second day of philanthropy: "Giving Tuesday Now."
Watch for an email from us with a link to have your gifts to PPMCC matched on May 5!

Online Church Directory: You Control Your Information

As the internet becomes a more useful part of our daily lives, PPMCC has upgraded to the online version of our church management software. Soon you'll be able to edit and make available to your church family (or to limit availability) your personal contact information, and you'll be able to access the information others have chosen to share. Watch for an email soon, with a link to the online portal to manage your profile. (Don't worry! Nothing will be visible to anyone unless you authorize it!) Please contact Pastor Alycia or Diane if you have questions or concerns or need help setting this up.
LGBTeaQ with MCC
Tuesdays at 3 p.m. MST


Join the MCC Community Development Team for virtual tea, coffee, and conversation. This is a time of building hope, cultivating joy, connecting with one another and with God. Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez and Revs. Cathy Alexander, Lauren Bennett and Wanda Floyd host tea every Tuesday, so come and join us at 3 pm MST.

Click here to join the meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/248584328
Meeting ID: 248 584 328
Or call in: 301-715-8592
Pray with Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Thursdays at 3 p.m. MST


Bring your joys, concerns, laments, and celebrations to God, with MCC Moderator Rev. Cecilia and one another. Meet us on Cecilia's Facebook page every Thursday. @Cecilia.Eggleston.50
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We Are Here for You: Social Media Connections

Click on each link below or on its icon above, or copy and paste the URL into your browser's address bar.
Facebook Page  http://facebook.com/pikespeak.mcc
Facebook Group  http://facebook.com/pikespeak.mcc, then "Pikes Peak MCC Group"
Instagram Feed  https://www.instagram.com/pikes_peak_mcc/
Twitter Feed  http://twitter.com/pikespeakmcc
YouTube Channel  https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjUqTjcbxSX4XeZARu1Yqmg, or search for Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church
Website  https://ppmcc.org
Email  admin@ppmcc.org
Click Here to Donate Now
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