Dear Church!   Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Phil 1:2   Day 3 of the “Shelter in Place.”   On Monday, at 7 p.m. our bell choir director, Dot, began a text with “Ready! 1, 2, 3, 4; 2, 2, 3, 4!”  Soon we were all “virtually” chiming in during our bell choir practice time.  What fun!  We received virtual hugs and cries of “Wait, wait, I’m not ready!!! and “Miss you 2, 2, 3, 4!”  As we were all laughing at 9 different phones, I thought, as I have many times, what a wonderful community of people we have at Holy Redeemer!     On Tuesday, as we struggled to have our Church Council Meeting by Conference call, I was again struck by the good humor and grace of the people of this place.  The fact that we couldn’t hear Penny, but we could hear the intermittent sound of a waterfall didn’t stop us from enjoying each other’s company and discussing the business of the church!   So, as we are all in this boat together – and apart! – I am heartened by your faith and your determination to take care of each other and continue to share God’s love and grace with all we encounter.  You know, Jesus spent a lot of time in a boat and is with us in ours!     In the meantime, if someone comes into your mind, please consider calling them, FaceTiming, Skyping, or sending a text or email.  We are all pretty isolated and it could make someone’s day.  And when you talk with others, please check and see if they have a need.  Let’s see if, as a church we can rise up to help meet each others needs in this difficult and scary time.   I’ll be a clearing house for those who’d like to help or have a need (what else am I going to do at home?) so let me know and I’ll share my list with others as appropriate.   Be sure to look for our Worship Post as we all join in from where we are.  Now you take care and be safe as we pray for each other and our world!   Love in Christ,