Dear Siblings in Christ:

Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Take another deep breath. Let that one out slowly, too.

Pentecost was not planned. The disciples were gathered in a room – isolated and afraid – when something strange and beautiful happened. Holy Love and Wisdom were discernible in flame and in speech. Maybe it was the birthday of the Church or maybe it was when a religious moment gave birth to a religious movement. Maybe it was the moment when those who followed Christ became the Body of Christ. Something strange and beautiful happened that was so powerful we are still being transformed by this holy emergence.

Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Take another deep breath. Let that one out slowly, too.

Moments ago, Washington State’s Governor Inslee made an announcement about new guidance for relaxing some of the worship guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a summary of what was announced. There may very well be more requirements mentioned in the written guidelines and, when I have a copy of them, I will send them your way.

Those who are in Phase 1 counties are permitted to have outside gatherings for worship on their own property for up to 100 people as long as: 

• masks are worn at all times (including while singing) and
• social distancing is maintained while standing or sitting by clear, physical markers.

Those who are in Phase 2 counties are permitted to have inside worship gatherings for up to 50 people or up to 25% of their building capacity (whichever is lower) and in-home gatherings with up to five people as long as, again:

• masks are worn at all times (including while singing) and
• social distancing is maintained while standing or sitting by clear, physical markers.

In both instances: 

• personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided for all employees of the church; 
• church employees must be trained in how to self-screen for symptoms;
• churches need to have plans for how to clean and disinfect areas that may have been occupied by people who, later, test as positive for COVID-19;
• and churches are encouraged to keep a record of those who attend services or gatherings in case it ends up that someone who attended was infected.

What has not changed is that it is still recommended that folks who are part of high risk groups continue to stay home and stay healthy. Washing hands, wearing a mask, and social distancing are still the most effective ways to stop this disease from being transmitted.

This is welcome news, for sure. Coming right before Pentecost, it might even seem like a Holy Spirit moment. After a couple months of not being able to worship in the same place, being able to get together to celebrate Pentecost might seem like a welcome relief.

Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Take another deep breath. Let that one out slowly, too.

Here’s the thing, though. Pentecost is a celebration of God’s Spirit of love, passion, and wisdom being embodied in those who came to be known as the Church. As such, we have the responsibility of honoring that love, passion, and wisdom by practicing these things and demonstrating their power through who we are and how we act.

As I’ve said a few times before during this pandemic, as a UCC Conference Minister I don’t have the power to tell you what to do but it is my covenantal responsibility to make some strong suggestions sometimes. My suggestions to you in Washington State are these; 

• don’t announce you’re going to gather until understanding your congregation’s levels of support for doing so; 
• don’t announce you’re going to gather until you have a plan for how to fulfill and enforce the mandates and guidelines of the state; 
• don’t announce you’re going to gather until you have your staff and leadership’s enthusiastic consent and clear willingness to participate and/or understand under what conditions they may be willing to participate;
• don’t announce you’re going to gather until you have a plan for including those who cannot attend because they are in a high risk group or are simply not comfortable coming to worship, yet;
• don’t announce you’re going to gather until you are fully able and willing to accept the potential risks from gathering. We are still in the middle of a pandemic.

Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Take another deep breath. Let that one out slowly, too.

The Spirit present at Pentecost is present with us still; guiding us, sustaining us, and loving us. As you celebrate Pentecost this Sunday – in whatever form and in whatever place – may you feel that presence and fullness in your life.
With hope,
Mike

——–Rev. Mike Denton

Conference Minister of
​The ​Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Church of Christ

You can give to the ministries of the Pacific Northwest Conference by going to www.pncucc.org and clicking on the “Donate” button​. ​Follow me on Twitter @denton_rev