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| Marist Campus 8/2020 |
You didn't think I'd let this theme stop since we have been officially merged and attending as a part of the PUMC congregation, did you? Because I am still learning new things.
With Marist handling the return and arrival of students differently this year, I thought maybe for once the weekend before classes I wouldn't have to work. It turns out I was wrong and so the Sunday of PUMC's outdoor worship service at 8:30am which I was looking forward to...I had to miss.
The following week was the 5th Sunday service, which had a combined online/in person worship at 10am. I was planning to go in person. But then I was asked to work on Saturday, which led to Sunday being my only day off.
Missing a Sunday at church due to work around the opening of school has been part of my yearly routine, with very few exceptions. (The last exception was during Hurricane Irene in 2011 when my birthday was on a Sunday and I requested off hoping to have plans that got cancelled.) But, as I said, with things the way they were, I was expecting to not have the yearly routine. I felt bad because I really wanted to be part of the outdoor worship service. But, I was able to help students and welcome many back to campus, which I also enjoy.
During the time of COVID-19, many people have talked a lot about self care. I never really gave it a lot of thought because to me I felt like even though for months I was working at home, with a few exceptions here and there having to come to campus, I was doing what I normally would have been doing so I did not think that I really needed to think about my own self care.
However, after working some of the craziest days, 7 days in a row, on campus, I decided I needed to enact my own self care. Instead of attending worship in person to hear the state of the church, I opted for the live service from the comfort of my room. I did get up with the intention to attend in person. But after chatting with my sister who had said she didn't think we were going to go in person and thinking more about how I was feeling, I decided not to go. I just needed the time to sit in comfortable clothes, listen to a great worship service, and be able to re-energize myself that way.
I worry, sometimes, that people will think I'm not that serious about being part of the congregation if I miss something. I know that is, in reality, not really the case. It is something I struggle with though. And something I know I have to work through. I need to keep in mind that God knows my heart. He knows that sometimes I have to work, which takes me away from a service but does not negate the love I have for Him and the work I do for Him. He knows that sometimes I just need to stay home and worship that way, and it also does not take away from our relationship. I am still finding my way through this journey of merging. But slowly and surely I will get there.
