Eric H. Doss

Beginning June 14, Pastor Heather will lead Eliot in a sermon and conversation series addressing racial injustice and violence. To have this conversation well, we must both listen to personal stories and set those stories in a social and theological context. The introduction on June 14 will address the variety of feelings and experiences we each bring to the conversation. More information about the full series is coming. 

During worship, we will use the breakout rooms on Zoom for small group conversation. You are encouraged to share openly and honestly; to listen to the views and experiences of others without judgement, even when they differ from your own; and to be open to learning and growing. Our conversations may be difficult, but if we enter them with grace, we can create space that is both safe and brave. (Small group conversations will not be recorded and shared on Facebook Live.)

Each week, we will share questions in the Friday email to prepare you for Sunday.

Friends in Christ:

These nine weeks of worshiping remotely have been a season of great creativity, growth, and forbearance as we have learned to navigate new technologies, deal with constant change, and stay connected even when we cannot be together. We have done all of this while watching friends, neighbors, and family members struggle against a virus that we still know little about. Many members of our congregation work in healthcare and have been on the front lines of this battle. I thank them for their selfless, Christ-like service and recognize the stress it causes for their families. Because of a community-wide commitment to “flatten the curve” we are beginning to see the virus retreat in Massachusetts, and many are longing to find and settle into a new normal, including worship in our church buildings.

The session met last Saturday to consider the when and how of reopening the Eliot building for worship and group meetings. Reflecting on the current virus status (with input from our healthcare provider members), the session voted to keep our building closed for all non-essential activities through at least June 21. This means:

The earliest possible date for worship in the sanctuary is Sunday, June 28. 

Small groups and renters will also not be permitted to meet in the building until after June 21. 

Staff should continue to work from home as much as possible.

The homeless day center (an essential service) may continue as it currently operates with extreme limits to capacity and social distancing measures.

The session will evaluate this decision at the next session meeting (June 20) and make further recommendations at that time. In addition, the session will review what protocols are necessary to reopen safely when the time is right using resources from our presbytery, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the CDC.

In today’s press conference, Governor Baker indicated that houses of worship may resume gatherings effective immediately, with specific protocols for capacity and social distancing. The session’s decision was a wise one for our congregation which includes a large number of healthcare workers. It is not safe for them, for us, or for their patients to resume gathering too soon. We remain committed to our plan of opening the building after June 21.

As the session prepares for a safe reopening, I also call on all members to recognize that a safe reopening will not be a return to the old ways of gathering. Activities like singing, passing the peace, and sharing communion – things that are central to our identity as Christians and as Eliot Church – remain high risk. I do not know yet exactly how our gathering will be different, but we can expect that it will. While we do not wish to diminish the quality of our worship, neither do we wish to spread infection among our congregation. We may need to grieve the loss of some beloved practices so that we do not have to grieve the loss of people’s lives. 

I am so proud of and encouraged by the witness I have seen in the Eliot congregation in these nine weeks. You have gathered faithfully for worship and prayer online, you have given generously to the ministry of the congregation, and you have cared for one another from afar. I see the Spirit of Christ alive in you. That Spirit has carried us this far, and it will continue to carry and unite us as we find a way forward that reflects both faithfulness to God and care for our neighbors. As always, I am available by phone, email, text, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and more. Please be in touch to let me know how you are doing and how the church can support you in this season.

Be well,

Pastor Heather