It feels really weird to pull out my iPod and take photos during church, but I did it for just a few moments this past Sunday during our first service outside of our homes since the start of COVID. It was so nice to be out and around each other, no matter how distanced and abnormal it was compared to a normal service. Who knows how long it will be before we all gather in the church again, but compared to sitting on the couch watching our online service, this abnormalcy felt more normal than I have since March.
I’ve always wanted to do church on a hill, and the morning was a bright, beautiful, sun-drenched one compared to the multiple lake days I’ve spent under a blanket or chased away by rain. It’s been a weird summer in more ways than one.
We’re all so used to feeling like a big, extended family that shares ups and downs with each other and exchanges hugs, laughs, and conversation while open-heartedly welcoming newcomers. This masked, separated version of us was definitely beyond odd but I can’t wait to do it again.
For now, our services will continue online until we hear that the next green-grassy one is put on the calendar.
Everyone left pretty soon after it was finished, but we had our own little fruit and donut picnic there just to linger a little longer in that familiar space.
