Pastor’s Corner: It’s Still a Long Road

January 12, 2022

In November, the Board of Deacons set plans into motion to resume gathering for worship on some date in January. In December, a new wave of COVID-19 swept across the nation, across the Hawaiian Islands, and across Hawai’i Island. With new case counts soaring at levels we’ve never seen before the Board decided over this past weekend to continue with online worship only until conditions are better.

This was not what I was hoping to write to you today.

The transmissibility of this virus has increased dramatically in the current variant. Even those fully vaccinated can still be infected and transmit the disease to others. While it seems to make fewer people seriously ill, COVID-19 continues to claim lives and to have serious long-term impact on some people.

For the health of our worshipers and the health of everyone we work, live, or associate with, we cannot gather yet.

We are the Body of Christ, to use the ancient metaphor. If one suffers, we all suffer. If one is protected, we all are protected. For this time, the way we care for one another continues to be to keep distance, to get vaccinated, and to wear appropriate masks.

We will also continue to offer regular music performances. On the second and fourth Fridays of each month, check our website for a live streamed one hour Community Concert at 6 PM. You’ll hear familiar songs and if you want to sing along, please do! Each Wednesday at 11 AM, there’s another live performance, a Song from Church of the Holy Cross. My hope is that you’ll find a lift with five minutes of music in the middle of the week. And, like our Sunday services, the recording is available afterward at holycrosshilo.com.

It’s been a long road. It’s still a long road ahead. May God keep you well, and may God nourish your spirit.

With aloha,

Pastor Eric

Self-portrait by Eric Anderson