Caring for one another: our commitment to community

Dear friends of Theological Horizons:

As we continue to receive news of our world's health crisis and its fallout, each of us surely experiences a myriad of responses. If we weren't already keenly aware of our own vulnerability, or that of our family and communities, we are surely feeling it now. The Gospel message speaks most saliently to those who are most fragile. Jesus Christ offers an unflinching hope to all who are in the grip of fear, loneliness and despair.  How might we live into this hope together?

At Theological Horizons, our mission is to support Christians and seekers by providing a welcoming community for engaging faith, thought and life.  During this unusual time, our work of support and community continues in new and creative ways.  

Today we invite you into our renewed virtual community --- to both expose places of fear and receive God's indomitable love.  Join us virtually to deepen our connections to one another; we need not fear isolation.  Theological Horizons is moving all of our regular programs online in a variety of ways.  Here are a few:

   *Karen will lead Vintage Lunch teachings via an online platform (Zoom or Facebook live). 

   *Lenten e-devotionals will arrive in your email inbox each week.

   *The Vintage Saints and Sinners Podcast is archived for streaming and we'll highlight one episode with extra resources each week.

   *We are offering small group conversations and prayer gatherings for students via online platforms. 

   *We are be available for personal, one on one  support via phone and FaceTime.

   *We will feature "Best of Theological Horizons" video and audio lectures and workshops on our website.

Find all of this and more at theologicalhorizos.org.

Most importantly, we offer one another the powerful ministry of prayer.  Join us in prayers of protection, especially for our elderly friends and healthcare providers on the frontlines.  Lift up prayers for wisdom, especially for our those tasked with deciding our next steps as communities. 

Know you are not alone and know you are loved by the great God of the Universe. 

In faith, hope and love

Karen Marsh

P.S. We share a poem below (with thanks to All Souls Charlottesville)

Pandemic by Lynn Ungar
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love—
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.