A key to moving forward with new things often includes deciding to stop doing some of what we have been – in order to make space for new things. If we are too busy doing what we do, when will we find energy and time to make something new happen?

But now, much of what we have been doing has stopped – not because we decided to but because we had to due to the COVID shutdown. We are being reduced to figuring out how to do “essential” ministry. That core of stuff may be all we need to bring forward as we put things back in place, while also rethinking lots of what else we want to or should be doing to be effective ministry sites as we move forward.

So, think about what you are doing during this shutdown. Is it meaningful and effective? Celebrate that, even if it feels like you are offering less than before.

But what have you stopped, at least for a while? Can it be put to rest and make space for someone else? Take this chance to assess things and then honor what has been done whose time has come to an end.

Take out the church calendar for the past year. Go down the regular activities, events, etc. that you did. Next to each one put one of the following:
     * A - Core ministry that we are doing, even during the shutdown.
     * B - Core but on hiatus by necessity but needs to continue
     * C - Not core - can we stop doing this to make energy for something new?

And are there new opportunities because the world has been changed by this in some ways that will last long beyond the shutdown and crisis? What does your imagination tell you that you should consider? The Holy Spirit will be inspiring creative and new ways to share the good news of the God who has come to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!