“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:25-26

I love the people of our church. Have you noticed how authentic and inclusive everyone seems to be? I try to get to every Sunday service. I anticipate Thursdays, when it is time to gather for Pursuit women’s Bible study and more recently, I even get excited for Tuesdays because it means it might be a MOPS day. Yep, I’m a community person. These are my people!

Last Sunday, when the livestream worship service came online, I fell to tears. Yes, I am a bit emotional during these weird days. I texted a friend just to be sure she was online and what a comfort it was to know she was. Together — but not exactly. From there, the virtual community spiraled on. Tuesday Zoom entered the scene! MOPS held a virtual meeting, complete with raffles. All followed by Zoom small groups. I figured it out! It was an absolute JOY to see all the smiling faces. It was great to be able to chat about the young moms’ fears and challenges and encourage them in their efforts to work and home school and tend to the house and babies. Then came Wednesday and the 6:00 Zoom churchwide social hour. Thank you, Darin. What a joy to see both familiar and new faces. My computer microphone doesn’t seem to work well, but I am working on that. Thursday the Pursuit women’s Bible study even met on Zoom. Again, great teaching to encourage our current walk in the ‘lab’ of faith. (Oh, I confess I scrolled through the faces to see who was online.) What a blessing to see the faces of my people. This time I initiated the Zoom room for my small group. It was an awkward start, but we made it.

Connection. Encouragement. Friends.

Yes, mics didn’t work, images came and went, ‘rooms’ didn’t open on time. It’s a work in progress, but it’s HUGE. My people — loving one another, face to face on Zoom, which I didn’t even know existed a week ago. Let’s keep on meeting together!

Judy Williams