Pastoral Letter from Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia, March 23, 2020

Dear Beloveds,
I pray that you are healthy and safe during this COVID-19 health crisis. Your spiritual, mental, and physical health is very important to me especially while we are physically separated. I pray for you daily and ask that you send me your prayer requests. We will compile these weekly for our prayer ministers.

This is the second weekly Lent Pastoral Letter from me. Going forward, you will receive it on Sunday afternoons. I will include updates, links for daily and weekly worship (see links below), COVID-19 health information, and community resources for help. This information will also be available on our website holyfaithinglewood.org and our Holy Faith Episcopal Church Community group Facebook page. If you are not yet a member, click the link to be included.

We are living in a new time of strict quarantine and social distancing, but we do not have to be spiritually isolated. There are several ways that Holy Faith is adopting to offer hope, strength, and resources as we move through our collective anxiety and fear. While the Bible mentions dozens (some say over 300) ways to say, “fear not” or “do not be afraid,” I admit to my own fears for my family, you, and the world. The disciples knew fear. The fear of the storm in the boat before Jesus calmed the sea. Fear for Jesus as they moved toward Jerusalem. And fear for themselves as they followed Jesus to the cross. They lied, denied, and betrayed. How human…to fear even knowing that God was right beside them (us). We will combat fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness.

We are not only in the season of Lent, are living out the 40 days of Lent right now. Is it easier to identify with Jesus’ suffering while we have withdrawn to our own deserts as we shelter in place? The disorientation of working from home, kids out of school, making only essential trips for food and medicine outside our homes is bewildering, chaotic, or lonely for most of us.

Tomorrow, the 4th Sunday in Lent, the lectionary calls out Psalm 23. Read it, and then read it again. Find a friend or family member or call someone to read it with you another time. Listen to “for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Know that this is real. Lift each other up when that knowing is difficult. We are all in this together.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; 
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures 
and leads me beside still waters.
He revives my soul 
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; 
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; 
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Remember that keeping distance is an act of solidarity and love. Please be safe, worship with brothers and sisters online, and use the resources for you and your family’s health. Keep in touch with each other and call or text me at (310) 720-6814 if you are in need. 
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Jennifer+

Resources:
11:15am Sunday Service at Washington National Cathedral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFJE7js-4a0

11:00am Morning Prayer at St. John’s Cathedral Los Angeles
https://www.stjohnsla.org

St. Augustine by-the-Sea Virtual Connections
Morning Prayer, Community Check-in, Bible Study, and more!
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwHMPngCWNrtfplhLlCKvhSMBzq

6:00 pm All Saints Beverly Hills Daily Livestreaming Compline
https://www.allsaintsbh.org/a-service-of-compline-livestreaming-at-6-pm/Concerning COVID-19 with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
https://episcopalchurch.org/concerning-covid19

Episcopal Relief & Development Lenten Meditations: There’s still time to subscribe by clicking here. You can also listen to Lenten Meditations this year! If you find yourself working from home, I suggest using the 5-minute Lenten Meditation podcast as an opportunity for a few morning stretches. You’ll start your work day with an energized spirit and body. Explore our resources for Connection in the Midst of an Epidemic. 

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Pastoral Letter from Rev. Jennifer Wagner Pavia, March 12, 2020
Dear beloved family,

It is with love and concern for each other’s health that we are suspending in-person worship services and programs on campus at Holy Faith until further notice.

We will move forward through this health crisis without fear, but with care and love for each member of our parish family and the wider community. To slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, national and local health officials are calling everyone to practice social distancing.

Social distancing does not, however, mean spiritual distancing. We will care for one another even when we cannot gather in person. Let us pray and reach out to one another by phone, email, text, and social media.

God is with us, especially in these times of uncertainty. Remember that,
“neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Please reach out to Rev. Jennifer if you need support, and know we will hold you in our prayers. God bless you.

For March 15, Lent 3 services, I invite you to visit Washington National Cathedral online for a special online Eucharist with our beloved Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry as guest preacher! The 11:15 (eastern time) Eucharist will be available on YouTube, at cathedral.org, or on Facebook Live.

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