“We’re like giddy school kids!” That was a comment that emerged on Sunday evening during the reception after our celebration of life gathering called a Time for Remembering. You might think it an odd comment following such a solemn and tender memorial gathering, but it was entirely appropriate. In fact, it may have emerged because of the memorial part. We had just collectively shared in honouring folks who had died during Covid, and lamented together how sad it made us feel that we couldn’t freely gather together in those times of need. And then, that night, finally, we were able to. After two and a half years of not being allowed to, there we were standing in conversation groups, nibbling on sweets, drinking tea or coffee, revelling in the familiar ‘normalcy’ of it.
 
The fast interplay of natural dialogue that gets lost in online meetings. The ability to read facial expressions in-the-flesh and up close. The connectivity of making eye contact. The intimacy of touching a person’s shoulder while laughing (or crying) together. At the reception all that pent up, suppressed need for one-anothering came gushing out. I am exceedingly grateful that we were able to use technology as effectively as we did during the pandemic, and we have learned that it will continue to be a vitally important component of how we do church ongoing. But there really is nothing like physically sharing space, and interacting on that fleshy level.
 
Faith United took a cautious approach to pandemic protocols. We opted for maximum safety for the health of our congregants and staff. Considering the current government and medical positions our Council has now moved to a “mask friendly” status. That means that masks are now optional at church, but are strongly recommended for large gatherings like worship. We have also disbanded our task group that was overseeing such things. Let’s hope and pray that we don’t have to reinstate it later!
 
And so we enter back into a sense of normalcy in our interactions, with some cautions still in place. The weather is warm, the summer has arrived, holidays beckon, and there is a sense of openness and freedom that we haven’t felt for a long time. It feels like this interminable season of separation is finally over and a new season has emerged. We really do feel like giddy school kids! It truly is a celebration of life. Thanks be to God!