Dear church,

How quickly our world has changed. 

Two weeks ago, I sent a letter urging our congregations to suspend in-person worship until early April. And now, I write to urge you to suspend in-person worship until early May, possibly longer.

Arizona’s Governor Ducey, Nevada’s Governor Sisolak, and Utah’s Governor Herbert—acknowledging health expert advice that illnesses and hospitalizations will peak in late April and early May—are urging stronger precautions by the day. The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths grow exponentially.

Through the great commandments to love God and love our neighbor, we understand the need to avoid meeting in person. In this moment—to protect our neighbor and ourselves from potential infection—loving our neighbor means not being physically present with them. In this moment, we find new and creative ways to be present and serve our neighbor.

As we near the end of Lent, what about Holy Week and Easter? 

The word “quarantine” comes from quaresima, the Italian word for Lent. Ships were “quarantined” for 40 days in port before they were able to dock and unload people and cargo. Of all the seasons of the year to be experiencing a quarantine, this present season of Lent is very appropriate. Just as Lent ends with Easter, this season of quarantine will end with renewed faith in our Risen Lord—though it will not happen by April 12, 2020. 

Easter has always been a changing date. Our Lutheran theology reminds us that every Sunday is a little Easter. When we can safely gather together in person, that will be Easter.

The Conference Deans and I met online this Wednesday, and many of our congregations have been making plans for Holy Week worship in a time of quarantine. Pastor Sarah Stadler has shared a Holy Week resource with the Capital Conference: “Triduum under Quarantine: Planning Holy Week Services That Honor Social Distancing,” available on YouTube from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Deacon John Weit with ELCA Office of the Bishop shared resources for worship available at elca.org/worship.

It is challenging to be church in these times. While our pastors and leaders develop new skills and our members extend more effort to stay connected, there are financial implications of not gathering in person. As long as physical distancing continues, it will grow ever harder to continue our basic outreach ministries which serve the poor, the sick, migrants, and the elderly. 

There are fears and anxiety about what is next or how we will recover. I can’t answer those questions. I do know that in the midst of fear, God in Jesus Christ is present. In this week’s revised common lectionary reading from the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus’ reassurance, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Therein lies our hope.

Our churches will be full, for we are the church, not our buildings. The resurrection, no matter where it is celebrated, fills us with life and hope.

As the situation develops over the next few weeks, we will discern right ways to observe Easter. We will discern right ways to observe our eventual return to in-person congregational life, proclaiming “Alleluia” with shouts of joy. That will be an Easter Day indeed, celebrating the restoration of new life, having passed through the valley of the shadow of death.

Connecting with so many of you in the last few weeks, I am filled with gratitude.

• Thank you for your creativity. 

• Thank you for the ways you have adapted and adjusted to changing circumstances. 

• Thank you for keeping connected to those in your care. 

• Thank you for being church in your particular location. 

• Thank you for following the health guidelines of your state. 

• Thank you for speaking words of hope that nothing will separate us from the love of God
  in Christ Jesus. 

And thank you for supporting our ministry during these difficult times. Your generosity continues to enable us to live our mission with you and through our partners as we do ministry here and across the country and world.

We are church together, even when we are apart. 

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA