I’ve been reflecting on Jesus’ observation that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (John 12:24).” Some things that die make room for wonderful new things.
COVID has foisted a great deal of death upon us. For some of us, it has brought the real loss of loved ones. I do not want to trivialize the reality of that pain for the sake of a metaphor. And yet there is a helpful metaphor here. COVID has stripped a great deal from us.
It was almost a year ago when we stopped worshipping together face-to-face. I have not seen some of you in the flesh since then. We had no idea what was coming, no chance to prepare. And so most of our ministries immediately ceased. Sunday worship, community groups, Sunday school, children’s worship, nursery-all came to a hard stop.
What has died we have had to rebuild and sometimes what is born out of death has a beauty in its own right. The worship services which have emerged now have a message geared for the children, something that most likely would not have otherwise come about. Out of concern for contact contamination, we have not passed plates for an offering for nearly a year and, yet, giving in 2020 exceeded giving in 2019. Out of death new things have been born.
Our Christmas program had to be scrapped. In its place a beautiful fireside gathering merged with caroling was born, something that just might become the new norm. When we had no Easter breakfast last year, Barb and I found a new tradition: serving cinnamon rolls to our neighbors whom we otherwise would never have seen. Out of death, newness.
We lost Sunday school. But Sunday school is being reborn. John Boardman now teaches an enthusiastic adult class which is accessible live and via Zoom, allowing people out of town and confined to home to join in. Elizabeth has been teaching a multi-age, outdoor, sit-on-a-blanket, socially distanced, but terribly engaging class she has dubbed the “McAdams Theological Seminary for Young Humans.” New things, good things, are being born out of the ashes of what has died.
New CPC ruling elder David Diaz last week encouraged you to come, taste and see. I echo that and encourage you to anticipate! Who knows what we are yet to discover as God moves us forward?
Yours in Christ,
Randy
P.S.: Speaking of new life, many of you remember that former CPC member and deacon Kedric Webster was lured away by a woman a few years ago. If you do not already know, there are now TWO women holding Kedric in loving bondage. Jennifer and Kedric welcomed their new baby girl, Cleo (means glory) Marie (means wished for child), a full two weeks late on Friday, February 5 at 3:25 p.m. She was 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and 22 inches long. Everyone is happy and healthy.
And just this week Kurt Gray, who ran off to West Virginia with our very own Disney princess Audrey, reported the birth of Blake Daniel Gray on Wednesday, February 17 at 9:39 a.m. He was a healthy 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and 20.5 inches long. Mommy and baby are both healthy, hungry, and tired.
And we celebrate with them, that God fills the world with life.
What has died we have had to rebuild and sometimes what is born out of death has a beauty in its own right. The worship services which have emerged now have a message geared for the children, something that most likely would not have otherwise come about. Out of concern for contact contamination, we have not passed plates for an offering for nearly a year and, yet, giving in 2020 exceeded giving in 2019. Out of death new things have been born. 
We lost Sunday school. But Sunday school is being reborn. John Boardman now teaches an enthusiastic adult class which is accessible live and 
P.S.: Speaking of new life, many of you remember that former CPC member and deacon Kedric Webster was lured away by a woman a few years ago. If you do not already know, there are now TWO women holding Kedric in loving bondage. Jennifer and Kedric welcomed their new baby girl, Cleo (means glory) Marie (means wished for child), a full two weeks late on Friday, February 5 at 3:25 p.m. She was 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and 22 inches long. Everyone is happy and healthy.
And just this week Kurt Gray, who ran off to West Virginia with our very own Disney princess Audrey, reported the birth of Blake Daniel Gray on Wednesday, February 17 at 9:39 a.m. He was a healthy 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and 20.5 inches long. Mommy and baby are both healthy, hungry, and tired.
