Bishop Mary Glasspool, Bishop Assistant in the Diocese of New York, offers this reflection as we begin to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel and make plans for our next chapters:
Our clergy and congregations will be deciding how and when to worship and conduct meetings as we move toward more in-person contact. Beyond the use of Zoom and live-streaming are the issues of accessibility and community-building. What will that look like?
The Right Reverend Mary Glasspool
How will we offer healing support to those who are emerging from the desert of isolation?
How will we practice compassion?
As we pack our bags for the future, what do we want to take with us from this past year?
What should we leave behind?
I am reminded of a passage from Matthew’s Gospel in which Jesus is instructing the disciples about the kingdom of heaven:
‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ (Matthew 13:51-52)
Just some thoughts.
One in the Spirit EDLA 
Why do we bother coming together? To hear a talk, to see a streamed video performance, to hear a spoken prayer? We gather to form the body of Christ, to fulfill our human need for the non-visible connection to each other and gain the strength and solace and joy that gives us, to learn with each other how to grow more Christ-like? These are common human needs that good religion can provide.
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