Resurrection Church

This congregation stands firmly in the Wesleyan-Holiness theological tradition. John Wesley's theological legacy informs our life and practice as a congregation. His last letter, written just days before his death, is particularly poignant for us today. #GeorgeFloyd, #AhmaudArbery, and #BreonnaTaylor should be working and enjoying family and community life today. But . . . Sadly, Wesley's morning news source (in 1791 -- see below) reported a situation in which a black man,... being wronged by a white man, has no way to address the injustice. Injustice persists if we don't address it publicly, purposefully, and directly. Therefore, we remain COMMITTED to pursuing justice and will not stop until it "shall vanish away." February 24, 1791. DEAR SIR, Unless the divine power has raised you up to be as Athanasius contra mundum, [‘Athanasius against the world.’] I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy, which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well-doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of His might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it. Reading this morning a tract wrote by a poor African, I was particularly struck by that circumstance, that a man who has a black skin, being wronged or outraged by a white man, can have no redress; it being a law in all our Colonies that the oath of a black against a white goes for nothing. What villainy is this! That He who has guided you from youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things is the prayer of, dear sir, Your affectionate servant, John Wesley

Beloved, Greetings! Over the next hours there will be a lot of excitement and debate about the President’s comments that named Houses of Worship essential. He demanded governors open churches for services this weekend. While such a vision is hopeful it remains fraught with deep concerns about personal health and wellbeing in our local context. It fails to give sufficient lead time to make certain all necessary protocols are in place. We must be careful, responsible and dil...igent in our ministry of care. First, I want you to know that I have missed being together with you. However, I want to remind you that we will continue our congregational life through our Zoom gatherings. We will follow this same rhythm for the next several weeks (Sunday @ 5pm; Tuesday @ 10am; Thursday @ 7pm; Friday @ 12pm). Second, there are several considerations to resume our in-person gatherings: 1) We rent space. The Episcopal diocese determines when their church buildings will reopen. That is NOT our decision. 2) People commute. Until there is confidence that public transportation presents a very low risk of virus transmission we need to be considerate of those we may be excluding from joining us. 3) With reports of reoccurrence in areas that have reopened we want to be smart about putting one another at risk. 4) Insurance providers are reviewing their policies in light of viral transmission and liability. Thus, our insurance provider will help inform our path toward in-person gatherings inside a building. 5) We remain committed to an in-person regathering plan developed in conversation and partnership with local municipal leaders. There are indications that being outside and practicing social distancing (and wearing a mask) greatly reduces risk of transmission, although it doesn’t eliminate the risk. This, I believe, provides the greatest possibilities for in-person gatherings in the weeks ahead. Periodic fellowship in-person gatherings may be an important step toward regathering inside a church building when evidence of a reduced risk exhibits reasonable confidence. Rest assured, I am monitoring this situation closely. I imagine we’ll resume in-person service gatherings after Labor Day weekend. This doesn’t mean we won’t gather in-person. It only means that our services will remain on Zoom. If and when outdoor social gatherings make sense congregational members can share in the organizing of those events. I want to regather again. Yet I remain deeply concerned about transmission of COVID-19 in our community. We have been a ‘hot spot.’ No doubt the virus continues to lurk nearby. Some of my pastoral colleagues have spoken about their first-hand experience. It is not anything I want you to experience. I don’t want to experience it either. Stay safe. Be encouraged. Live hope! Pastor Jeff

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Something to encourage you as you look to begin another week . . . Thanks Angel and Plinideris!

Want to know what it's like on the front lines in an NYC emergency room? Watch this interview with Dr. Gary Morsch of "COVID Care Force", Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel (Superintendent of Metro New York District), and Rev. Bruce Barnard (President of the Manhatten Initiative).

Holy Saturday sits between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Often we don’t know what to do with this day. A friend of mine (and former student!), Rev. Jay Wilson, offers some perspective and practices to engage during these hard hours . . . as we wait . . .

Another musical gift from Plinideris and Angel. Enjoying! Can’t wait for us to be together again.

Beloved, Dr. Gary Morsch of Docs Who Care has launched a new initiative to serve the people of New York City, COVID Care Force. Gary has given his heart and ministry to others through medicine, but also through his connections to the Church of the Nazarene world wide. While all of us in the city (except essential workers) are homebound for now, there will be a time on the other side of this where we can volunteer to help our neighbors and communities. We can also do that now... in three key ways: 1) Sign the pledge at the link below to PRAY and more; 2) If you're a healthcare worker, there is a SERVE place for you on the link; 3) For those of whom financial support is possible, GIVE PRAY - SERVE - GIVE! Thank you for all the ways in which all of you are CARING FOR and CARRYING our CITY. We can't thank you enough, but we pledge to be there when you need us.

Beloved, We continue in partnership with the Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. Attached is the link to this Sunday’s service. It begins at 12:00noon. It is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. I will also forward some additional resources to help guide us through this week. ... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JmE7OrH5xYw We will meet again this week via Zoom. However, Zoom has made some adjustments to increase security for its users. I will forward any necessary modifications that may impact our gatherings. Four things to do this week: 1) Connect with at least one person EVERY day. 2) Begin a gratitude journal and (each day) name three things for which you are grateful/thankful. 3) Pray for those one the frontlines (health care professionals); for teachers and students learning new instructional patterns; for those adjusting to ‘working from home'; for those ‘essential’ workers that keep food on our tables and lights on in our apartments (and internet service available so we can meet). 4) Join us for one of our Zoom gatherings this week. Stay safe. Be encouraged. Live hope! Pastor Jeff

Brothers and sisters, we’ve received word of another Metro NY District pastoral couple confronting COVID-19. One spouse has a confirmed case and the other appears to be exhibiting symptoms and is on the way to the hospital. Please lift them in prayer. We will update and keep you informed as we are able. Hermanos y hermanas, hemos recibido noticias de otra pareja pastoral confrontando a COVID-19. Un cónyuge tiene un caso confirmado y el otro parece estar presentando síntomas y está en camino al hospital. Por favor, levántelos en oración. Lo actualizaremos y lo mantendremos informado a medida que podamos. , COVID-19 . . .. .

If you're awake and able to pray this morning, one of our Metro pastors was moved by ambulance from home early this morning as he deals with complications from COVID19...in your mercy Lord hear our prayers...

Beloved, We have partnered with the Bronx Bethany Church for our Sunday worship. They provided a streamed service on YouTube. I have attached the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbmoYupZJyk. The service starts at 12:00noon. If you are unable to watch it then . . . you can always watch it later. :) We will continue to meet via Zoom this coming week. ... Three things to do this week: 1) Check in with one person each day. 2) Pray each day for our health care workers in the city. 3) Join us for one of our Zoom gatherings this week. Stay safe. Be encouraged. Live hope! Pastor Jeff

Friends, Below is the link for today’s worship service. Pastor Rich Griffiths shares a word entitled Clean Me Up, encouraging us during this COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_qdFTTxn0... Be encouraged! Pastor Jeff