News

Friends in Christ

Social distancing has kept up physically separated from family, friends, and our church community. While we are each happy to do our part to protect our neighbors, this new way of living puts us all under strain. We can expect to hear about people close to us getting sick and even dying. The many healthcare workers of Eliot Church are anxious about their risk of exposure and spreading the virus to their families. Some of our members are experiencing financial strain as hours have been reduced or jobs eliminated. Some of our relationships struggle from too much distance, and others from too much togetherness as whole families spend all day in the house together. It can be hard to keep the faith when crisis is unfolding around us and there are no answers to the questions of “why” or “when will it end.”

I share each of these struggles with you. Like yours, my mood and outlook can vary from day to day or even hour to hour. Slowing down, staying spiritually grounded and focusing on mission are helping me stay centered and sane. I have found comfort in the routine of daily prayer on Facebook Live, and I am grateful for those of you who are tuning in to virtual worship services. The deacons and I are working to stay connected with members who are less technologically adept. The church building has found a new use as a temporary food warehouse, meeting a need for a food pantry delivery service. Not everything is working perfectly, but we are striving together to find new ways to do church and be church. This season may remind us that church is not me, or the elders, but all of us together under one head, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to continue reaching out and connecting through cards, calls, texts, and social media.

The recent announcement from Governor Charlie Baker makes it clear that we will not be able to worship together in person until at least May 24. If you have not already tried to worship virtually through Zoom or Facebook Live, I encourage you to do so. 

With Zoom, you get a more robust experience with the ability to see one another. You’ll have a better view of the liturgy and music. Join us Sundays at 10:00 a.m., on the web: for a link to the meeting, send an email to office@eliotlowell.org. 

If you participate on Facebook Live, you’ll have fewer opportunities for interaction, but it might be a more familiar interface. You can watch there even if you don’t have a Facebook account.

I continue to be available by phone, text, email, Facebook, and WhatsApp. I am live on Facebook every Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for morning prayer and evening reflections. We are sharing helpful resources on Facebook and the church email newsletter every Friday. Youth and Christian Education volunteers are  emailing resources and meeting online with students.

Eliot continues to pay our staff, even if they work reduced hours or become ill. Your continued financial support is important, and we appreciate your gifts. Contributions can be mailed to the church or made online.

These are difficult days for all of us, but we are in it together and our God goes with us. May we take courage and open our hearts to learn and grow in love, even in the wilderness.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Heather

Friends in Christ,

These have been strange and uncertain days for all of us as we absorb constantly changing news about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Each day seems to bring new restrictions in where we can go and new anxiety about who might be infected and how they will receive testing, treatment, and care. As people of faith, we proclaim hope in a God who is powerful over every force of evil and we work to care for the weakest and most vulnerable among us.

To that end, the session of Eliot Church has elected to cancel all in-person church meetings, including Sunday worship through March 29. We will not gather for worship, for Bible Study groups, or choir practice. St. Paul’s Kitchen will serve bagged meals as take-out only. For the time being, the church staff will continue to work either in the office or from home. You can continue to connect with all of us by phone, email, text message, or social media.

While we cannot meet in person, we remain a community of faith and we can work together to uphold our covenant to love God and love our neighbors. The best way to stay connected with Eliot Church in this period is through our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/eliotpres. You can view our page without a Facebook account, but you will need an account to leave comments or send messages. Here are a few of the ways you will be able to connect virtually:

• Join us for virtual worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. This is a change from the original plan to stream on Facebook Live — though we may still offer both ways to join. Zoom is more interactive and gives more technical function so that you can participate more fully in the service and see your fellow worshipers. We’ll share the link to join each week by email and on Facebook.
• Pastor Heather will conduct “Facebook Live” office hours EVERY DAY except Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, March 17. Log in for a short time of prayer and connection.
• Use Facebook Messenger to share private intercessory prayer requests. These will be passed along to the Deacons. Think of Facebook Messenger as a virtual “green prayer slip” that you’re used to finding in the Sunday bulletin.
• Follow our Facebook page to get resources for faith formation at home and other ideas for surviving and staying sane during this time.

Beyond Facebook, Pastor Heather and the deacons will be working to make personal contact with members and friends of the congregation by phone and text message. There are those willing to assist elderly members who need assistance with grocery shopping and other errands. We have a fund that could provide some financial assistance for those who lose income due to the Coronavirus. Jake Hoffman, our Sunday School superintendent, will be emailing resources to families for faith formation during quarantine.

We also encourage you to stay connected with fellow members using whatever forms of communication are most familiar and comfortable to you. Call and check on each other. Send simple text messages of friendship and encouragement — even funny cat pictures to make someone smile! The Christian friendship we share is vital to enduring this season, and it need not only come through official church channels.  

In this season, the church also continues to need your support. We are committed to paying our staff even if their workloads are reduced. Our building will still need regular maintenance and incur regular expenses. If you are able, please maintain your giving during this season either by mailing your offering to the church office or by giving online. You can use this link to give once or set up a recurring gift. Those with more financial ability might even consider increasing their gift in recognition of those whose incomes may be negatively impacted by Coronavirus closures. If you have not been a regular giver before, consider doing so now.

How to reach Pastor Heather

• phone and text: (410) 300-4543
• email: pastor@eliotlowell.org
• facebook @heather.p.doss
• instagram @heather.prince.doss

In closing, I remind you of the words of Psalm 46. It crossed my path twice in the last 24 hours, perhaps a sign that I should pay attention: “God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. . . . Nations are in an uproar . . . The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

May the peace of the the God of Jacob surround you even now,

Pastor Heather