Dear HPUMC Family,

Well, the spigot has opened a bit. This weekend, you can go to a restaurant, go to the mall, or go to a museum. What you can’t do is go to church. Not yet, anyway.

No one wants to see our pews full of people more than I do, but it’s still way too challenging to incorporate safe social distancing practices in the sanctuary of our campus. We’d have to keep more people out than we let in, and that’s just not our goal. Besides, the church isn’t WHERE you go, it’s WHO YOU ARE when you get there. And you all are being the church at its finest.

The safety of our congregation continues to be our number one priority as we navigate this crazy season. So, we are going to continue to worship together online as we approach summer — at least through May. Go ahead and admit it, it’s been better than you thought anyway — grabbing that cup of coffee, staying in your pajamas, and rallying around a screen. It won’t last forever, but it has been a wonderful way to stay connected with the church and to worship God in a meaningful way.

So, hang in there. We’ll be back together as prudence allows. I hope and pray that day is sooner rather than later. In the meantime, you are in my prayers as we sail through the storm of this pandemic. I have been overwhelmed by watching this church exhibit the best of the Christian witness. You are a bright light for dark times. Thank you for all you are doing to keep HPUMC vital and vibrant. And please let us know if we can help you or your family in any way in these trying times.

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Paul Rasmussen
Senior Minister