Last night while shopping for groceries I noticed bread on the shelves along with a sign that said limit of 2.  Last weekend the shelves were completely empty and on Tuesday I was fortunate enough to get bread for my family, my sister's family, and my mom because there was no limit.  I didn't need the bread right then, but thought I might as well get 2 loaves while I was there because I didn't know what might happen in the future.  I text my mom and sister to see if they needed it, they both were fine for now.   Then my mom messaged something that really hit me, she said, "get it and freeze it.  We just have to do things different right now."
 
It struck me.  On so many levels, we have to do things different right now.  This includes the way we do our work and the way we think: 

Right now is also a time for uncertainty for people financially.  I'm very fortunate to continue to get paid during this time.  I am not able to pick up extra duties (or the pay), but thankfully, loan payments may be deferred.  We all have different situations and we need to be able to reach out and ask for help or for a listening ear.  We all have different gifts we can share and you never know who you may be able to help.
 
Sharing your concerns is first and foremost.  We can't find a way to help a problem if we don't know it exists. As our treasurer, I'm going to bring my concerns to you all as we tread on this unfamiliar territory.  Not only am I nervous for personal finances, but I'm nervous for the church's financial state at this time. We did so well last year by keeping up with our monthly budget and kept our general fund positive.  Our expenses and our income roughly balance out each month.  Until recently, we have been running on that same track.  That was when we all were gathering together and giving together.  We aren't having worship at the building and the majority of our offering comes from Sunday worship.  Without traditional Sunday gatherings and offering, and in the words of my mom, we are going to have to do things differently right now.  Our church's survival depends on it.

That said, I'm excited to use my home worship kit!  It reminds me of when I used to "play" church when I was younger.  I used the ironing board as the altar and smashed pieces of bread to make them flat like a wafer, then dipped it in juice.  I would make my sister take the body and blood shed for her.  So, while we are doing things differently, we are still connecting with Christ, our Heavenly Father, and each other.  At the same time, we pray that life would return to something like, "normal" and "familiar" in the midst of all this stress and anxiety.

-Shannon Garza, FUEL church Treasurer