A Different Kind of Palm Sunday

This morning I did my morning routine, got out of bed and wandered to my blue chair to prepare myself for church. A completely different kind of church, but church none the less. In the normal times this would include all the congregation walking into the church while waving the palms, a full reading of the Passion of Christ, and of course communion, and music. I find myself very much missing the bread and wine. And of course Palm Sunday is generally the beginning of a week of daily worship, special services in the church and all the community that normally happens up to and including Easter Sunday. Except for this year.  

Still, I was at church, if not in church. Credit for that feeling goes to both the staff at my wonderful church as well as all the other church goers who shared peace and prayers throughout the service which is streamed on Facebook . Our organist and choirmaster sings the hymns with the words above so that we can sing along-just as one example. While the reading of the gospel passion usually takes place at the front of the church with multiple readers, this time there was a screen as all the readers spoke from their own homes.

And finally,  our sermon today was on taking advantage of the enforced narrowing of our lives, while finding ways to reach out to neighbors while being safe. And also a reminder that although we are not all sitting together we are all still together. A good reminder as we enter that week this year without the in person community.

Still, the first chance I have to be in a church, with others, safely, I will be there.

In a kind of revelation (not the biblical kind, mind you), all the prayer comments and wishes and shared needs (along with a casual comment made elsewhere) have led me to my goal to find a way to volunteer when I can't do so in person (besides making masks-which is a wondeful endeavor but seems to have been taken over by about twenty or thirty people in my next door group).  First, I live very close to a hospital and have recently been made aware that  others in my neighborhood have been taking turns going in together to purchase take out food for various hospital staff including the ER since they often don't have time to eat and are working extra shifts. I have decided to jump into that and specifically try and figure out how to get that food to those people who work the second and third shifts who often just get the leftovers at any party or event.

I also had a reach out from Meals on Wheels. They are asking for food. Non perishibles like canned food and crackers and small sizes of items. I figure when I do my food delivery this week I will ask the nice young man if he can make a side trip and take part of the order to the meals on wheels office drop off (which is near me as well). More importantly, they also asked for cards and well wishes for all the elderly who are alone. I have alot of paper crafting and art things, have gotten some cards, and hope to spend some letter writing time in the coming weeks.

The giving, the making, and the communication are all things I can do. Easily, and from my home while being safe. Which helps. Me and them.

Today I sat outside in the seventy degree weather in the sun for forty five minutes. Twice. I am finding the sun (and the fresh air) really helpful. Even though the days can run together now even more than normal retirement, I do try and keep Sunday as Sunday for the most part. Which today included alot of sitting, relaxing, no exercise and even having a piece of pecan pie. 

I'll make up for it. Tomorrow.