There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate,a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
This past Monday I was blessed to participate in the Mourning into Unity virtual event that was held here and then streamed on Zoom and on our Facebook page. It was such a blessing to come together and mourn as an interfaith community the people and things that we have lost during this pandemic. It felt good to name people, businesses, and situations that we need mourn. We have needed to do this, and it was wonderful to come together even if it was online and grieve together so that we can move on in hope. The event is taped and is available to view on our Facebook page, which is Community United Methodist Church Huntington Beach, if you haven’t seen it. We have lost a lot, and we need to acknowledge that loss, even while we are still in the midst of grieving. If you haven’t given yourself the opportunity to grieve over the loses that we have all suffered, please take that time to do that it is important and necessary in order to move on.
When the vigil was over, and we were leaving through the sanctuary I was walking through the short hall to go out and hearing happy noises coming from our courtyard. I was hearing sounds of our scout troop who was having a court of honor outside in our courtyard. It was so wonderful to hear and see signs of life! Precautions and safety protocols being followed of course, however seeing the lights on the trees, and our beautiful courtyard being used, took my breath away and brought a tear to my eye. It was such a blessing to see and talk to parents who have scouts in our troop. Yes, there is a time to mourn and then to dance! May we always remember that and take the time to do both.
Gracious and Loving God, help us to create time to deal with the stress and emotions that we are feeling during this difficult time. Help us to be able to deal with our stress and anxiety in health ways and to reach out to others who care for us when we need help. Let us be there for others who need to express their own grief or joy. Help us to remember that life does go on and will go on. That there is a time and a season everything under heaven. Thank you for being with us through all the seasons.
Amen
Stay well, stay safe and be the hope you wish to see in the world.
Suzanne