If you haven’t figured this out by now, I consider myself an optimist. I don’t say that with any judgment about optimists versus pessimists—I confess I don’t even know what makes one an optimist or a pessimist. Is it a chemical component in our brains? Is it some conditioning or nurture that we received over our lifetimes? Can you decide to be an optimist or a pessimist? Some part of me wonders if it is knowledge of God’s love for us and provision for us. I’ve known followers of Jesus that are pessimists and others who optimists. While I haven’t figured out a faith component, I feel like it is there for me. That knowledge of Jesus Christ and the way that we can share and spread his love for the world? It makes all the difference for me.

I mention this because I wonder how all of you are doing in the midst of this worldwide coronavirus pandemic. I’ve spoken with some of you recently, although of course not all of you. I am aware that while our lives have been drastically altered, we are living in a unique place. We are a long way from the end of this, but we don’t have the quite the same circumstances of places like New York, Italy, or Spain. Most of us are staying home and working remotely whenever possible. I really miss the social interaction. Though I cannot help but take comfort in the notion that we aren’t stuck at home—for the most part we should be reminding ourselves we are safe at home, while being thankful that is the case. Our homes to provide a factor of safety in times like this. We are warm, dry, and I hope well-fed. Others in the world are not able to find such peace and security.

Nevertheless, this is something we have never experienced before, and it is challenging. One thing I miss most are the noises of church life. During the week our office and church building are full of the ‘noise’ of ministry. Choir practices and youth group gatherings on Monday nights, meetings (yes, even the noise of meetings can be joyful!), Brandon stopping by to practice on the organ, the Sew ’n Sews chatting and running their machines to help women on the other side of the world, bell choir practices on Thursday evenings, alcohol recovery groups that come to find strength and solidarity with each other—and those are just activities during the week. On Sunday mornings I arrive to hear the Praise Band warming up, and later the choir as they prepare for worship. People moving around the building to set up communion or hand out the bulletins, children running back and forth (perhaps to swipe a cookie before worship begins!). Sylvia Mahoney making sure there is a child to light the candles on the communion table, Nick or Hank Purintun ringing the bell to announce the beginning of 11am worship. It’s all quite lovely, and I miss it.

Pastor Meg and I are certainly missing all of you, but there are ways that we can remain connected. I hope that you have found our video worship on YouTube. If you have not done so please check your email, Pam sends out a link to the video each week (including a bulletin so you can follow along). If you have not seen the email you can go to youtube.com and search for “First Presbyterian Church of Logan”. That will bring you to our church YouTube page, where videos are posted according to the date. While it certainly isn’t the same as worshiping together, it is a wonderful chance for us to spend time with God, listening to scripture and a sermon, praying together, and enjoying beautiful music. Pastor Meg recently held a youth group gathering via Zoom. Church kids all over the valley connecting with each other over the internet. Others are making sure to call or video chat with friends during the week so that we remain connected with each other. If I may paraphrase Mr. Rogers (the Rev. Fred Rogers, that is) said “The connections we make in the course of a life, maybe that’s what the Kingdom of God is.”

While almost all activities at church church are currently on hold, one incredible thing that did happen was a Red Cross blood drive on Friday March 27th. There is a shortage of blood around the country, resulting not from a lack of donors but from canceled blood drives at locations such as universities and businesses that are closed. The blood drive we hosted had a goal of 45 units of blood, and 57 units were collected! I received an email from Red Cross Northern Utah manager Tim Schwen thanking us for hosting, and sharing their delight that the drive exceeded expectations.

Friends, I am grateful that you are all part of our church family at FPC Logan. If you can do so take a picture of yourself worshiping from home, watching us on YouTube and send it in, we would love to see it and use it during a future video.

Grace and Peace to you all,

Pastor Dere