Last week, we added in person worship for the first time at Federal Way United Methodist Church. There were many tears of joy at our first gathering. It was the first time that I ever served as a pastor over a gathering when I was both filled with hope and hesitant that our gathering may unintentionally do harm by spreading the Covid-19 virus. Whenever I come to church and see all the empty seats, I wonder (and doubt) that the seats would be filled. Call it a character flaw if you like.

Over the past couple of years, the seats have been empty and I’ve learned some valuable lessons. Empty seats do not mean the community isn’t listening. In these last couple of years, the Holy Spirit has broadened my imagination about how church can gather. We’ve learned to utilize technology as one tool of many to seek a deeper faith community. We’ve also learned the way we gather matters; why we gather also matter.

I’d love to learn from you this week. Why does gathering together in person at church matter to you? What are we accomplishing when two or more gather unlike we have in the past couple of years? I ask these questions with an open heart and not truly having a set answer. You are welcome to leave a comment below, message me or connect via social media. I look forward to continuing the conversation with you.

Pastor DJ