We’re about six weeks into our lives being turned upside down, and although Oklahoma is trying to get back to normal, I don’t see that in the cards for us. Too many in our church community are too vulnerable to the still-spreading coronavirus, and it may be spreading as much as ever here in Tulsa. Lifting restrictions now, while an understandable concession to the social, economic and mental health effects of lockdown, will almost certainly increase its spread even further.

Here we are, roughly two weeks into an indeterminate period of what’s being called “social distancing,” staying home as much as possible, staying away from those outside our immediate households, maintaining at least six feet of personal space when we do venture out. We’ve quickly gone from no large gatherings, to no gatherings of more than ten people, to no gatherings at all, public or private. It’s dizzying, what we’re being asked to sacrifice as a fundamentally social species, for the sake of benefits that will take weeks or months to reveal themselves.

Taking care of folks is literally my first calling in this work. It’s built into my title and my Letter of Call. I will drop everything to come see you, when I know where you are and that you want a visit. I am never too busy for that.

Wouldn’t it be great to have clear foresight for the year to come? This afternoon I’m going to pick up my first pair of new eyeglasses in years, and the prescription reveals the state of my aging eyes: my first pair of bifocals, although they avoid that word now. These are “progressive” (no-line) lenses and also “transition” lenses that darken in sunlight.

A December letter from Pastor Jon.