Dear Christmas Gatherers:

These are uncertain times, and with the advent of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the stewardship of our congregation's members' health requires added vigilance.

The extreme transmissibility of this iteration has caught many public health experts off guard, leaving somewhat ambiguous how best to proceed with public gatherings. It is unclear if current protocols remain sufficient to protect ourselves and one another in the days ahead. More definitive data analysis remains to be done before clear guidelines can be established, especially for predominantly vaccinated communities such as our own.

What we do know is this: holiday travel and gatherings will bring a surge of new infections, both asymptomatic and otherwise. For our own congregation that means moving several young adults back into our homes from across the country, bringing with them whatever exposures they experienced elsewhere. Whatever "pods" we held before Thanksgiving will be mixed, and for the days following our time together, new cases are very likely to emerge.

Despite this ambiguity, we will still be gathering for Christmas Eve worship. Please use extra care in masking and distancing as possible and, if you are symptomatic or have been exposed to an individual with symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test, we ask that you remain home. (Yes, I do feel Grinchly.) For those unable to attend, an audio recording of the service will be shared on our website shortly after Christmas.

For those in attendance, we will also ask that you limit indoor conversation following worship. As of writing, the weather will be brisk, but not below freezing, so gathering outside following the service won’t be too chilly.

There will be special Christmas gift bags for those in attendance available in the Narthex, one per household. If you’re unable to join us Christmas Eve, your gift will be available in the Ashland Ave. vestibule beginning Wednesday.

Most importantly, regardless of whatever else may be going on this Christmas, Christ’s birth happened under unusual circumstances in ambiguous times. Christ was born into a world not unlike our own. Mary was doing her best to adapt to an extremely unusual set of circumstances, Joseph was doing his best to file his taxes on time, the shepherds were operating on little sleep and the wise men were asking for directions from someone who didn’t know what was going on. We may stumble in our guesses, but God is certain in His love.

Christ is born, Alleluia. Finding the gift of God’s peace in the midst of human ambiguity, I remain,

With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor