As the corona lockdowns loosen around the world we have been making plans for how to go forward in the coming months. Our enthusiasm for the possibility of seeing one another again and being able to do many things that have been restricted for so long has to be tempered by the laws of the land (two countries in our case) and our desire to do what is best for all concerned. We want to untangle this mess in the best possible way and turn it into something very useful.
In The Netherlands - where we meet as a church - congregations are allowed to meet together again from today, meaning that Sunday, June 14 would be the first Sunday. I already saw some Catholic churches in the city holding mass today. Only 30 can gather, and the normal restrictions must be followed: 1.5 meter distance, hand-washing, no greeting by handshaking or kissing, etc.
In Belgium churches are also allowed to meet again, with up to 100 people. But only if they can do this while keeping the minimum distance and refraining from any kind of touching. And in both countries there is to be no singing! So, while we have had a challenge to sing together in our skype/zoom gatherings, we are now going to have to figure something else entirely for the coming weeks.
For our congregation in Maastricht we will have to wait until the 21st of June because the border between Belgium and The Netherlands doesn’t open until June 15. About a third of our members live on the Dutch side while the other two thirds live just across the border in Belgium. So when the border officially opens, we will finally be able to gather together - even if it does mean all sorts of special rules and changes.
As with so many of you who have already started through this process, we have discussed with one another if we will wear masks or not (we will in the beginning), how we will partake of the Lord’s supper (we figured this one out) and how we will sit while keeping enough distance from one another. We have also had to think about a protocol for hand-washing, toilet usage, and how we can share a time of coffee afterwards. But we will finally be able to be together and that is the most important thing at this time.
One of the biggest struggles I think we as congregation will face is the injunction against singing. We are a singing church. Every service ends with a prayer after which we all head over to the coffee table and during which at least one brother our sister usually continues singing one of the songs sung during the service. A small group often forms of others who - coffee cup in hand - stand around and sing some more. This is not yet allowed, since the thought is that singing too easily spreads the virus. Still, we will find a way to keep the words of the Lord in our hearts and heads - together.
And while we deal with these realities we are also making our plans for our summer Bible camp weeks. We had heard a few weeks ago that these would be allowed to continue. Now we are trying to make sure our teams will be able to attend and getting everything ready. Until this last week and news of the borders, we were not sure if kids and team members from The Netherlands would be able to attend. Now that that hurdle has been taken, we can move on to the normal tasks of getting lessons and activities ready.
And all the while we are aware that we continue to be vigilant in trying to be safe. We know that there are some who have greater fears for the virus - correctly since they are part of a high risk group. There are others who have greatly missed being with others and will need to let the floodgates loose as they get the chance to talk to others. We want to look to one another and see how we can serve each other, care for one another.
This is a daily desire, a daily struggle. There are all sorts of struggles we must face - how to do what is right and good. And often it is not the big things, but the little things that will make a difference - even on the world stage. We continue to try to keep our focus on what is eternally fundamental: our salvation and that of those around us.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11
