Our Church Community

Dear Church,

I can remember thinking eight weeks ago, “wow, there’s just no way we can celebrate Easter outside of our church buildings.” And, yet, here we are. We did. So many of you took to your vehicles, tuned your radios, and made your way around our valley on the hunt for some expressions of love built just for you—the beloved! I want to express my sincerest gratitude to you all for not just rolling with the punches, but for rolling up your sleeves in getting into this battle to keep love at the forefront of your community. Thank you.

Our church is leading the way for faith communities here in Jackson and beyond when it comes to reaching out and serving those most severely impacted by the crisis created by this pandemic.

Collectively, St. John’s families have already given $252,000 to aid those in need.

Your support is helping folks here in Jackson, our brothers and sisters on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and people across the entire state of Wyoming.

This coming week, you, our church, in partnership with Café Genevieve will send a meal to each of our 550 grocery workers, who have been working hard to keep us fed and stocked at risk to themselves. At the same time, you’ve continued to support our church operations and staff, so that we remain confident that we will weather this crisis with our leadership team in tact. While we miss being in the presence of each other, we haven’t “missed a beat.” Way to go, St. John’s. Thank you! Let’s keep up the wonderful, loving work.

This week, your vestry leaders will meet over zoom. We will discuss the past few weeks, get a snapshot of our stable finances, dream up more loving ways that we can support one another and those severely affected by this crisis. We will also begin to look ahead to summer and plan for a more restricted than normal way of functioning as a church. We will, of course, be considering local guidelines, as well as state and federal, and will comply with regulations and expectations of the diocese. We don’t know exactly what the summer will look like, but at this point, we know it will look different than summers past.

Let me ask, if there are those of you that need support, please do not hesitate to reach out. We will do all we can to be responsive to your needs or the needs of others you identify.

While our online worship pales in comparison to being together face to face, we have seen enormous viewership. Thank you for tuning in. Last Sunday, typically called low Sunday in the church world 416 computers from Jackson Hole logged onto our worship, and another 312 from around the country logged on to see what St. John’s would offer. I can assure you, we will continue to livestream our worship, even after we return. I sort of kick myself for not thinking of it sooner, as so many who are a part of our faith community spend time in two or more places a year. This way, the whole family can be together week to week going forward. Again, thank you for logging on, for sharing the link and word, and for indulging our pajamas last week!

So much of this situation is dynamic and so much uncertain. Here’s what’s static and certain—You are beloved of God—ALL OF YOU. You are cared for and appreciated by your church community. Thank you for stretching to embody the faith and spread the love around. It makes all the difference, especially now.

Love,

Jimmy