As challenging as these times can be, there are still so many glimpses around us of God at work. I truly believe that every action that builds up or that ties communities together has the Holy Spirit moving within it. From that perspective, the blessings of the Holy Spirit abound so that our lives are full of tiny miracles. As we continue to find ways to be church together, that is the Holy Spirit at work amongst us.
I have come to appreciate that insight all the more in these past few weeks, as we have again needed to tighten our Covid protocols and move many events to online. It can seem like the forces of this world – led in this case by the microscopic power of a virus – are bent on disrupting communities and tearing down opportunities to encounter meaning. Yet the church and its ministry continues on, led by the Holy Spirit. We are still finding ways to deepen our faith and engage the world in worship, in witness, and in service, even if many things are needing to move online.
That this is happening is God at work not only around us, but moving through us as a congregation. Each connection is a tiny miracle!
We begin this month with our Annual Meeting on Feb. 6. This is the “numbers” meeting, looking at finances and attendance numbers. The “ministry meeting” where we talk about our ministries and their impact comes later in the year. Yet, despite being about numbers, our Annual Meeting is telling the story of the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing tiny miracles amongst us.
Overall, the numbers from the past year tell a story of the Holy Spirit at work. Despite all of the obstacles and forces that would separate us, overall the participation numbers were strong, as were the markers of generosity. That is not to say that everything is as we might hope it would be, but rather the many tiny miracles of the Holy Spirit have indeed been accumulating. We are being moved to come together, and then moved outward in mission for the sake of the community around us.
God is at work amongst us. That is most certainly a glimmer of excitement in the midst of challenging times.
Pastor Eric Trozzo