This pandemic has put a hold on our ministry for two-and-a-half years. I miss being in your churches. I mostly miss the personal touch, I miss preaching to you, singing with you, and hugging you.

I realize why we had to stop hugging each other these past years, but I hope we never have to do it again in my lifetime.  Being the Church is being in community, and being in community is a feeling you cannot have without the freedom of being together in worshipful dance, song, and touch.

Not only have we not hugged each other in church, we haven’t even held hands in a friendship circle.  We haven’t been able to face each other without masks and joyfully lift our voices in song.

The scripture is true, “If we keep silent the stones will shout out” (Luke 19:40).  I don’t believe for a minute this pandemic will stop the Church from being what she is called to be.

The Church is not a body that can be blown away by the winds of disease.  We are built on a foundation of faith. We are filled with the Spirit of Christ that brings us together in a community of love, and nothing can stop us from hugging each other.

Agape, Kimball, S.E.