Hi Church,

Today brought fresh updates and new restrictions regarding gatherings of more than 10 here in Travis County. Last week feels like a lifetime ago. If you’re like me, your head is spinning a little.

One of my favorite prayers comes from the compline service in the Book of Common Prayer reads: Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I love that line about the changes and chances of this life. It is a succinct reminder that our lives our subject to change. That can be troubling and painful. Yet we can find rest in God’s eternal changelessness. When our routines and plans are disrupted there is peace that comes from knowing that our Triune God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

Our call as the people God likewise does not change.  At COTC we express that sense of call in a specific way.  We are a community rooted in Scripture, guided by ancient practices, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our hope is to announce and embody the good news of God’s kingdom through celebration, transformation, consolation, and participation.  

Our vision and values have been touchstones when discussing how to respond to this changing situation. They’re expression may be fluid, but our intention to live in line with them has never been stronger.

With that desire in mind I wanted to communicate a few things regarding our corporate life in the weeks ahead. There is a lot of important information in here, so please read carefully:

• Celebration - For the next two weeks (March 22nd and 29th) we will be live streaming our Sunday worship services. At 10am the stream will be available here. We will pray, worship and proclaim the Gospel in word and sacrament. We hope to have better sound this week and are planning to send out both a video for children related to the readings and a set of activities they can participate in during the service.  It is likely this set up will continue into April, but we’ll be communicating further at the end of this month.  Morning Prayer at 9am from Monday to Friday will also continue in the weeks to come. We have already had friends from New York and Pennsylvania participate in these events. Be sure to join us and consider inviting others if they are without a place or time to worship and connect with God’s people.

• Transformation - In an effort to preserve as much continuity as possible, we’ll be hosting our Coffee and Catechism class and holding the scheduled Lunch and Learn online this Sunday. C & C, focused on chapter 3 of the EHS book, will begin at 9am. I am teaching The Lunch and Learn. It will take place shortly after the live stream of worship. Specific information on how to participate will be included in our regular enews later this week.

• Transformation (Part Deux) - Neighborhood Groups are encouraged to continue to find ways to connect, pray and grow together as disciples.  We are working on ways of doing this online.  Portions of NGs, less than 10 with both adults and children counted, may gather to watch the live stream on Sundays as well. All other scheduled events are postponed at this time (including the upcoming Silent Retreat and the Men’s Retreat next month). We’ll communicate further as circumstances evolve in the weeks ahead.

• Consolation - Our clergy and leaders are available to connect and pray with you, simply chat with you online/via the phone, help with practical requests, and process benevolence needs. You can email Nick or myself directly. You too can participate in this by reaching out to others in our community. The church directory can be found here. Send someone an email or text, schedule a FaceTime call. These means of connection are essential as we preserve in our calling to be one body.

• Participation - If you’re interested in supporting others in this time you can do so by contributing to the Good Neighbor Fund and the church general fund here. We are in touch with some other organizations and churches in Northeast Austin and are trying to find ways to serve the needs of our neighbors and the vulnerable. You may also consider how this extraordinary situation can open people up to God in a more vital way. Are their neighbors or friends who don’t know God that you might specifically pray for or connect with? 

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the above. Our intention is that you have every opportunity to participate fully in the life of the church. If you need help doing so we want to help! God is still at  work during this difficult and complex time. There are opportunities even today that we have to see His kingdom advance and His glory to be made known.

Resting in His changelessness,

Peter+

Ps. Two fun resources you might check out during these days; one for kids specifically, and one for us all.

Pps. We're communicating a lot with Instagram during this time, check it out and follow us there.