From the General Presbyter

The characters Jamie and Tea Cake in Zora Neale Hurston’s book, Their Eyes are Watching God , are living in the Everglades when they hear a hurricane is coming. They first decide to wait it out, but soon the storm presses in with wind, rain and flooding. The characters end up tossed to and fro in the raging water, enduring all kinds of peril. Before reaching dry land, Zora writes:

“They sat in company with the others in other shanties, their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He (the Lord) meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God.”

For many of us, we are asking “what’s next?” or “when?” or even “how?” These daily questions, in theory, are posed to our leaders, advisors, and experts who pummel us with news and theories and speculations. Closer to home, some may be asking “Will my family survive financially?” “Will I get paid?” “Will the congregation survive?” Amidst the noise, we know pundits and experts are not really in charge of what this virus does. Our eyes are watching God.

But know this, God is watching you! God sees your children running underfoot, while you are giving pastoral care over the phone. God sees you as you politely ask your Session if the money is there to pay you. God sees you as you gather with other church leaders to make tough decisions about church staff. God sees you as you wrestle with unfamiliar technology in an effort to stay connected. God sees your isolation. God sees you as you sit exhausted from trying to keep “it” all together and manage your own fear.
Friends, also know this: I see you. Your Presbytery staff sees you too. Each of you are in our hearts and minds. Each of your congregations are prayed for. Each pastor and leader – remembered. I, we, are here when the storms of this COVID-19 toss you to and fro. We are watching God together – always.

Blessings,
Jackie