Logos for December 19, 2020--Hope in the Midst of Despair. Andy Williams sings the beautiful song written by Eddie Pola & George Wyle entitled "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year." As we approach the holidays this year, we are confronted with an uncomfortable question, is there anything worth celebrating? Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and with no end in sight, the holiday approaches, and with it comes the shadows of uncertainty, fear, loneliness, and depression. During a typical year, the holidays are a cheerful, happy time for many. However, this time around it will be a most difficult one as we remember loved ones who may have died from a COVID-related illness, natural death, death from sickness, or tragedy.

Logos for December 12, 2020--A Self-care in Isolating Times. Congregational care during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is essential. However, traditional congregational care is very strained at best now. Ministry is quite different than it was two weeks ago. We cannot meet or gather as congregations. Caregiving for bereaving families unable to attend funeral services or members who may not be digitally connected, and those losing employment while working from home are just some examples of how ministry is different.

Logos for December 5, 2020--A Pandemic Thanksgiving--Are You Serious! Somewhere in the Bible, it is commanded, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Does that include the pandemic that pins this planet and the United States down this Thanksgiving? As far as I can tell, the command does not indicate an exclusion clause. Though let’s be quick to recognize this is not a command to “give thanks for all circumstances”— it is a command to “give thanks in all circumstances.” After all, how could we possibly thank God for the disease that has taken away our loved ones (1.41 million deaths globally — 260,000 deaths across the United States as I write these lines)? No, the command is specific — “Give thanks in [not for] all circumstances.”