Space that is loving and structured

This is a note from Pastor Travis that will appear in the April newsletter:   Living through this global pandemic, and all the upheaval that comes with it, has given me a new appreciation for rituals. By rituals I mean not only what occurs on Sunday in the sanctuary (though I miss this too), but also the everyday rituals that give our lives a sense of order and purpose. When performed intentionally and mindfully, we remember that rituals, like the sacraments, shape the disposition of our hearts and mold our spirits. They are powerful precisely in that they require us to do something over and over again. For example, as my wife and I take on the joint ventures of homeschooling two boys while working from home, we have found that creating new structures for family and work life is essential to sustain everyone’s mental, spiritual, and physical health. A week without a jog for dad is not a good thing for my mental health. A span of time without an organized approach to work does not make a working mother happy. A morning with no set expectations for the kids’ schooling is a recipe for aimlessness. As the New York Times put it in a recent Parenting newsletter, the key to surviving with kids home from school is cultivating space that is both loving and structured. Sounds a lot like the spirit of meaningful rituals to me.  

While not all of us are juggling work and parenting through this “stay at home” ordinance in St. Louis, we all need a sense of order and purpose to give meaning to these days we are living through. Maybe for you this means getting in touch with cycles of daily prayer, bringing before God your own thanksgivings and needs, not in a haphazard laundry list kind of way, but with a sense of purpose and intention. Perhaps you have created a new routine with a spouse or distant relative that includes a daily check in to talk about what brought you joy today or involves a regular call to someone you love. One of my favorite new little morning rituals is a simple act of turning two little lamps on in our dining room before the family wakes up. I have turned this small action into part of my morning prayer life as I ask God to illuminate our home with the light of Christ today.  

Rituals matter, and they matter especially when aspects of our lives and society are upended. So, what are your little rituals these days? How are they keeping you grounded in your faith? If you are feeling a bit unmoored right now, what first step or new little habit can you introduce in your life to bring some blessed order to what is a chaotic time for us all? If you would like, share your little ritual with us at Second Church and we will include it via a blog or social media post to encourage and connect with each other in this time.  

Lastly, as I write this in late March, many health experts are predicting the worst of this pandemic is yet to come. Please do abide by the public health recommendations right now. Pray for our neighbors near and far. Act as you can to contribute to efforts that aid our medical community and support one another. As hospitals are bracing for an influx of patients, our doctors, nurses, and medical professionals need all the support they can get. May we as the church be among their greatest allies in this time.  

Grace and Peace,  

Rev. Travis B. Winckler