At the End of a Pandemic—Hope

SIDE BY SIDE

Sarah Nelson

Sarah Nelson, artist, educator and College Church member, writes to her beloved church. And she painted the watercolor (below) as a reminder of the joy and hope we have in Christ, together.

I want to say thank you. Thank you for reminding me that my church isn't the building, but the body of Christ. With social distancing so important, I never realized how important elbows are to the body of Christ.

I grew up in College Church. My parents joined a Sunday school class for young couples. The Thirteen Club was a place where they made friendships that lasted through their years at College Church. As the couples grew older, had children and moved away, the Sunday school class ended but the friendships stayed on. Years later, Mom found out that she had cancer. She had a brain tumor which left us little to do but make her comfortable and wait. During that time every member of that Sunday school class came for a visit or a meal. There were also letters from friends who had moved away. The body of Christ supplied joy for my family when we needed it most.

I have a group of friends where I find my support. Years earlier I was part of a Sunday school class. Pacesetters.

That group of friends grew older, got married had children and moved away. The class ended but the friendships lasted.

Through these friends I have found support and joy. I thank God for the joy that I feel with my friends.

This has been a difficult time. Sometimes the isolation is so overpowering all I want to do is stay in bed and watch TV. With the support of my friends and College Church, I have been able to get up and work and create. I have found joy.

The Bible is full of stories of how friends support each other. Jonathan supported David and helped him when he was being hunted by Saul. Paul and Barnabas supported each other in their mission trips. Ruth supported Naomi and made the choice to travel back to Naomi’s home. In all these friendships, they went through hardships, but the friends supported each other and found strength in Christ.

I gave the church this picture as a reminder of the joy that we share in Christ. Through Christ we have hope and with hope we have joy.

I don't know when all this will end, and we can enjoy the new normal. When we do get back together in the building as a congregation, I know I will be crying.

I thank God for the Bible, prayer and also friends. With the Bible I learn, with prayer I know grace and with friends I share joy.