One Year Later
Dear Friends in Valhalla Parish—
Here we are one year later. One year after the WHO declared a global pandemic. One year after our lives and routines were disrupted. One year, and far too many deaths later. Here we are, one week later.
This week I am grateful. I have been heartened by the good news of vaccinations coming to our region. As I understand it, as of yesterday (March 11th), seniors aged 85+, Aboriginal people aged 65+ and Elders are all able to register with Interior Health for their vaccination appointment. If you haven't yet seen the news, please do check it out at the link below.
While we still have a significant road ahead of us towards a just recovery for all people, this is the kind of good news that I have been waiting to hear. As you might have guessed, I'm a little closer to the back of the line, but I celebrate this all the same. As the province and our local health authority work countless hours to roll this out, we give thanks for all those who have made this possible. There are so many people who have spent the last year working on this incredible challenge, and for them, we give thanks.
The fruit of this labour—leading to the rollout of the vaccine in our own community—means increased immunity, and increased safety for our society's most vulnerable people. It seems that there is at long last light at the end of this year-long tunnel. And so, to mark this moment, I offer this prayer
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.
Mother of all, in the past year, we have become acquainted with darkness.
The darkness of loneliness, fear, isolation, and death.
Into this darkness, Jesus shines a light. Into this darkness, Holy Spirit guides us.
We light this candle to remember the 2.6 million people who have died from COVID-19 in the last year.
We offer our prayers to God
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the shepherd of Israel,
their pillar of cloud by day, their pillar of fire by night.
In these forty days of Lent you lead us into the desert of repentance
that in this pilgrimage of prayer
we might learn to be your people once more.
In fasting and service you bring us back to your heart.
You open our eyes to your presence in the world
and you free our hands to lead others
to the radiant splendour of your mercy.
Be with us in these journey days
for without you we are lost and will perish.
To you alone be dominion and glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
This year has changed so much for us as individuals, and for our communities. Here in Valhalla Parish I have heard of the many changes that took place before I arrived in October, and also borne witness to the changes in the months since. Never in a million years had I considered leading worship on the internet as an element of my vocation. We have gathered for worship and for coffee hours and for meetings online. We have dropped off meals and care packages and letters at each others' doors. We have sought to keep ourselves and one another safe.
We have learned a lot through these days—and no doubt we will continue to learn more in the days ahead. As we continue through the season of Lent, we have the opportunity to reflect, to examine our lives over the course of the past year, and to learn from them. Where have we felt God's presence? Where have we felt distant from God?
This year has changed us, and I wonder what it might mean for us when we are able to gather together, in person, once again. As we think back on the year that has been, I want to leave you with a question to consider (and I'd love to hear your responses!).
- What might you have taken for granted or undervalued about Valhalla Parish before the March 2020 lockdown that you value more greatly now?
Please take time to write. I would love to hear what you're thinking. Until we speak again, I wishing you every blessing for the week ahead.
Andrew Stephens-Rennie
Valhalla Parish Missioner
About
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St. David's, Castlegar
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St. Stephen's, New Denver