Letter from Pastor Shawna

Trevecca Community Church, Brothers, and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change.” (Ps. 46:1-2a)

Over the last few months, the world has changed, and God is still our refuge and strength. Tim and I hope this letter finds you safe and secure in the love of God. Your church family loves you, misses you, has not forgotten you, and is praying for you!

Each day we wake up to new information about the COVID19 pandemic and its impact around the world. Nearly daily, there are new reports about measures we need to take to prevent the spread of this virus and support the health of our community. Thank you for all you have done and the sacrifices you have made to care for the well-being of yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors! The Church Board and pastoral team have been following these reports as we make decisions about worship and other gatherings.

We have done our best in these unprecedented days to make our decisions out of love and not fear. We quickly moved services online to Facebook Live as of March 15. Our 55+ leadership team jumped into action calling every resident of the Trevecca Towers to make sure they had everything they needed. Children are continuing to connect with Pastor Steve and Pastor Emily, the youth group continues to meet with Pastor Jamin and Pastor Grace, and our college group still meets regularly with Pastor Jeremy. Sunday School classes called one another and began to meet online. Pastor Tina and Pastor Bill are continuing to meet with the Bridge and care for the needs of our brothers and sisters in the restoration program. Journey Counseling has developed HIPA approved online format to counsel with individuals. Volunteers have stepped up to help deliver food. Some have asked about donating to the benevolence fund to aid members who may lose their jobs during this crisis. Many of you have set up online giving for the first time or continue to mail checks of tithes and offerings, giving sacrificially to the Lord. The work of the church continues! Thanks be to God!

Beyond the ministries of the church, you have all discovered new ways to meet with God as you walk your neighborhoods, call your friends and family, pray with children and grandchildren, invite a neighbor over for coffee and Facebook Live worship, write letters, send text messages, and find time to “be still and know that I am God.” 

One of my favorite songs of worship sings, “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary… with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.” Trevecca Community Church is blessed with a beautiful sanctuary filled with images, symbols, and sights that draw us into the story of God and the presence of God. I truly miss worshiping in the sanctuary with you. But in these days, we are learning how to be a living sanctuary. We have been reminded that God is not limited to those strong brick walls and illuminated stain glass. We carry the presence of the Christ with us everywhere we go. Perhaps the most important thing that has taken place during this crisis is how it has moved us out of the sanctuary to find the presence of God in our homes and neighborhoods, seeking to join God’s mission in the world.

With the best information we have at this time, knowing how rapidly things can change, we plan to spend the rest of April following the “safer-at-home” policies set by the White House and the city of Nashville. That means that the church building will not host any large group gatherings, nor do we encourage you to host gatherings other than those you are sheltered with or are caring for. We hope to call the church out from our homes where we are scattered and invite you to worship in the sanctuary again in May, encouraging those who are vulnerable and have compromised immune systems to continue worshiping with us from your home online. We will deliver more communication near the end of April, confirming our plans to resume worship. Until then, if you need help connecting with the church or any other assistance, call 615-244-5918 or email info@trevecca.church.

This means that on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the church will still be scattered throughout the city, meeting in homes online and over the phone. Easter is the great crescendo moment of the worship life of the church, where we shout the good news of our resurrected Lord: “He is Risen, Indeed!” But the first Easter wasn’t announced in full sanctuaries and cathedrals. The news first came in the quiet of the garden. Jesus first appeared only to a heart-broken Mary Magdalene, all by herself, carrying the deep grief of loss. She took the message of the resurrection into homes where disciples were locked away in fear of the Romans who had crucified their Lord. In other words, the first Easter, the disciples were sheltered-in-place. And yet, Jesus walked through their locked doors to meet them right where they were! He met them in their fear and doubt and made it very clear that Jesus of Nazareth, whom the Romans crucified was the Lord God almighty, the great shelter and refuge, a very present help in times of need, even when all the earth should change. This Easter, we have an opportunity to worship like those early disciples and find that, while the world has closed the door, Jesus opens the door to new life!             

More than ever before, I am eager to say to you Easter Sunday, “He is Risen!” I may not audibly hear your reply, but the city of Nashville will hear as the people of God cry out from their homes and shelters in every neighborhood and declare, “He is Risen, Indeed!”

Peace to your house,

Pastor Shawna.

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