I saw the chart above referenced in an online meeting recently. It describes my experience over the last weeks. I’ve definitely felt in that valley after that first peak. Easter was a high point, but the honeymoon is over. Any novelty of live streaming has worn off. The initial rush of responding to a crisis has dissipated.

The description of this “Disillusionment” phase suggests it’s a time of coming to terms with limits. The limits of what we can do, the limits of any help or assistance that is offered, and our personal limitations. We’re in that valley.

There’s a freedom and relief from naming this experience. It helps to see it mapped out and somewhat normalized. If you’re at your limit, experiencing disillusionment, a way forward might be to name this reality in community. Pray the psalms, call a friend, share with your spouse, be known as best you are able.

The valley of disillusionment is a time to redouble our efforts toward that which can and does sustain. We are have a Good Shepherd who is with us in the valley. Prayer, praise, corporate worship, and engagement with the Word are all a means of laying hold of His sustaining presence. If you’re feeling at your limit and disillusioned, it’s your Good Shepherd who will see you through. Draw near to Him daily. See below for information on our shift to Midday prayer this coming week.

This Sunday we celebrate God as our Good Shepherd. In participation with His faithful shepherding of us we’ll be picking up consecrated elements on Saturday morning and consuming them together on Sunday. See here again for the instructions.

Our Bishop, Todd Hunter. will be preaching in our live stream this Sunday. Churches in our diocese from all over the country will be hearing the same homily. It’s going to be a beautiful expression of the unity we have in Christ, even in these socially distant times. Todd is a wise shepherd who seems particularly well-suited to speaking faithfully in times like this.  We’ll also have some other special features involving faces and voices from within our community in worship. You won’t want to miss joining in on Sunday at 10am! Invite a friend!

Lastly, we are not the first Christians to see times such as this. This coming Wednesday, alongside brothers and sisters from Christ Church and Resurrection South Austin, we’ll have a chance to hear more about how saints before us have responded in seasons very much like our own. We’ll hear too of how they were sustained and equipped to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in them. See here or below for more information and to register to participate in this webinar.

In Christ,

Peter+

Ps. Governor Abbott’s plan to begin a “reopening” of the state takes effect today. We’re praying for the public health and common good to be preserved through this transition. COTC clergy and the Parish Council are monitoring the state and county communications and will be following along as the situation unfolds. We have no plans to change from our current mode of worship for the time being. While it is certainly costly, we continue to feel that this is a part of loving our neighbors well in this time, and caring for the more vulnerable among us. We do long to be able to gather together and worship in a more embodied way. We are discussing what that might look like in the weeks and months ahead and will be communicating further as the situation progresses and becomes more clear. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out.