April 2020 Newsletter: Pastoral Letter on Pandemic

Church newsletter pastoral column for St. Peter Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa, for April, 2020, addressing the Coronavirus Pandemic. Note that we have since extended our suspension of in-person activities well beyond Easter.

Pastoral Letter: Church During a Pandemic

Friends in Christ,

As you are well aware, our community and our country are in a state of public health emergency. During this COVID-19 pandemic, substantial changes to our usual ways of functioning as a congregation are necessary.

In accordance with Governor Reynolds’ declaration of a Public Health Disaster Emergency in Iowa, the St. Peter Lutheran Church Council has made the difficult decision to suspend all in-person programs, meetings, and activities—including worship—in the church building until Easter Sunday, April 12. The Church Council will evaluate whether a longer timeframe is necessary at our April meeting.

Let me be the first to say this is not an easy decision. Being together as a church community is deeply important, especially during times of confusion and chaos. But as God’s people, we are called to care for the well-being of our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. Right now, that means practicing physical distancing. We want to care for each other and our community by doing our part to flatten the curve.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Our church building is currently closed and locked. While some of us as staff will still be working in the building, for our protection and yours, we ask that you do not come into the building during this time. If you absolutely need to access something in the building, call the church office at 641-816-5531 or Pastor Daniel at 641-257-9794 so we can figure out a solution.

• Our ministry as the people of God at St. Peter Lutheran Church continues. The good news is that the Church is not a building—the Church is the body of Christ, God’s people. The Church is YOU! While the best way for us to love our neighbors at this time is to physically distance ourselves from each other to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we are blessed with many ways to keep in touch, support each other, and proclaim the good news of Jesus. We are exploring a variety of ways to do ministry online.

• Worship is moving online. Each Sunday morning, I will be live-streaming a message and a time of worship through our church Facebook page. For those without Facebook, videos will be posted on our church website at www.stpetergreene.com. 

• I am available for pastoral care. Although I’m doing my best to avoid physical contact with people, I’m available by phone, email, or text in the event of an emergency or if you’re just like to talk to someone. The best ways to contact me are by emailing or calling/texting me. Please reach out and let me know how I can be helpful—and if I can’t help, perhaps I can point you in the direction of someone who can!

• Watch for opportunities for online community in addition to worship. Christin is working on activities and meetings for Sunday School, junior high, and Luther League. If you have other ideas, please let me know. Perhaps we can try an online coffee hour or Bible study—what other ideas do you have?   

• Your continued generosity towards our operating budget will be more important than ever during this time. This is especially true as we seek to care for our congregation’s staff and pay the congregation’s regular financial bills. You can give one-time or recurring donations online at www.stpetergreene.com/giving or through the GivePlus app. Or, you can simply mail your offering to the church at PO Box 638, Greene, IA 50636. And if you’re not a regular supporter of our ministry, I can’t think of a more important time to have you join the effort. Even a small gift of $5 or $10 a week can make a huge difference in the coming weeks. 

In this time of so much uncertainty, fear, and chaos in the world around us, remember the promise Jesus gave his disciples immediately before his ascension into heaven: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). As Romans 8 proclaims, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, nothing else in all of creation—even pandemics and viruses.

And of course, don’t forget the commission Jesus gives his disciples right before his promise to be with them and us. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” 

This is a time for us to truly be the Body of Christ. We have an opportunity right now to “be the church” in new and creative ways, to serve one another and the world in Jesus’ name even while we can’t physically gather together. Love one another. Be patient and kind. Check on your neighbors. Pray for one another and for our congregation.

Finally, I am reminded of the Easter afternoon story in John 20. The disciples were gathered together in a locked room, hiding from the religious leaders. And into the midst of their fearful isolation, Jesus entered, saying “Peace be with you!” and showing them his hands and his side, proving that he was truly alive. We are not locking the doors of our homes and our church building out of fear, but out of love for our neighbors. Even so, Christ enters into our midst. 

In Christ,
Pastor Daniel Flucke