Our New Normal

In our “new normal” we have found ways to do things we never could have dreamed of. Who knew you could worship together on a computer and even share communion? At the synod level, all of our meeting have been on Zoom and it’s worked quite well. In fact, the bishop and his staff have been working from home these past several weeks and have been able to network very effectively. The Northern Illinois Synod office has been house in the Lutheran Center in downtown Rockford for many years. It was sold recently, and the new owners have not kept up with maintenance causing some problems such as leaks and water damage. So, a search has been on for several months to find a new location for this central office. However, because things have gone so well working from home, the bishop and his staff with permission from the Synod Council Executive team, have decided to not have an office in Rockford at least for the foreseeable future. Over the next couple months, the staff will move all records to the synod office in Rock Island. They will evaluate the effectiveness of this “virtual” office in the next couple months.

I believe this pandemic has taught us several things. One, is that it is possible for people to be productive and work from home. I believe in our society more businesses are going to see the value in that and save money in the long run. I have done pretty well working from home these past 14 weeks. The problem I’m having is “stepping away” from my office since it’s right across the hall. Therefore, I will be coming into the church building at least one or two days a week just to regain some “normalcy” in my work schedule.

The other thing I believe we have learned through all of this is there is more than one way to be connected with each other. Sure, we’d like to see each other face to face, but there are other ways! One that I mentioned a week ago is that we will be launching our first virtual coffee hour this Sunday, July 5th at 10:00. Here is the link to the Zoom meeting. All you need to do is click on it and you will be invited into the Zoom room to see other members of the Peace family. We will have an opportunity to chat and see each other’s smiling faces. So, grab a cup of coffee and join me there!

“See” you Sunday!

Pastor Lu