But the woman said, “It is. So I won’t be at the services tonight, but I’ll be there tomorrow [Saturday] night, and I’ll be there Sunday morning.” And Craddock said, “Oh no, you don’t need to be here tomorrow night, or on Sunday.” He knew this was a hard time for her. But she said, “Yes, I do need to be here. It is hard, but this is my church, and I know they’re going to make sure that my children and I are okay.”
Now to me, this is what the church is all about: caring for one another and making sure that each one of us is okay. It’s been harder to do during this pandemic. We don’t see each other as often – many of you I have not laid eyes on in over four months – and don’t have quite the contact we once did.
But we have found other ways to express our love and support for one another. The telephone calls, letters and notes, emails, Facebook postings and comments, and ZOOM meetings (am I leaving anything out?) have kept us connected to each other. Our online and in person worship have kept energizing music and a consistent gospel message of grace and hope flowing into our hearts. We have continued, and in fact increased, our support and help to people in need in our community.
The church is alive and well in Southport, Indiana. We’re operating a little differently, but we are all working together to make sure that each one of us is going to be okay.
Grace and Hope to you,
Pastor Duane
