Coming “Home”

​There’s not going to be a blog or a Fairmount Focus next week because I’m taking a few days off and going home to see my Mom & Dad. I haven’t seen them in a year and a half! I haven’t been in Oklahoma in five years. It will feel good to get “home” even for a few days.
 
COVID-19 obviously has kept us all close to home. And New Jersey is my home now. This is my home.
 
2020 was a really long and hard year for us all.
 
A couple of my siblings will be there, too. It will be great to see John and Bonnie. Only my brother Brian will be missing from this trip. The last time we all saw each other was Mom & Dad’s 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration in Denver—early November, 2019. That seems like a lifetime ago!
 
It was.
It was a lifetime ago…
 
I know many of you are going through some of the same things right now. Safely reconnecting with family and hugging each other again. Getting the vaccine. God bless us all!
 
COVID-19 has sucked for me. I’m a hugger! So hard to connect with people in a mask and from 6 feet away. Like you, I’m suffering through it.
 
I do feel like this is the beginning of the end. We’re starting to relax the COVID restrictions as we come to worship together. We’re not checking IDs at the door, but masks are optional in worship now if you’ve been vaccinated and you’re welcome to keep wearing your mask if you are more comfortable with it. No judgement ever, no problem!
 
I understand that our church has always been a “come as you are” place. Thank God! We’re never going to stop broadcasting our worship on Facebook Live or some other digital platform because this is what church looks like now.
 
Nevertheless, come to church this Sunday for Youth Sunday! Our students will be leading most of worship and I look forward to seeing them. I look forward to seeing you.
 
Let’s keep meeting each other wherever and however we can. Wherever and however we come home, Jesus meets us right where we are. Just as we are.
 
Fairmount’s not going anywhere. Come home any time.
 
Grace and peace,
Scott