FPC Reaches Out to Congregation: 'We Miss You and Are Thinking of You'

The day was Sunday, March 8. This was the last time the First Presbyterian Church of Tyler congregation went about their normal Sunday routine. They awoke that Sunday morning, had breakfast, got their families ready, made their way to the car, drove to and parked at the church, stepped into the sanctuary, took a look around, smiled at familiar, unmasked faces, and felt at home – at peace.

It was a wonderful time – a time now missed deeply by many, including each and every member of the staff at FPC.

After all, no one could have seen the COVID-19 pandemic coming, nor could we properly emotionally prepare ourselves for such a lengthy separation. Nevertheless, FPC has remained bonded, strong, forward-thinking, and doing everything within reason to remain united.

“The staff could not have kept everything going alone, and we were not alone,” said FPC Associate Pastor Pamela Leach.

For those new to the congregation, Leach’s main role at FPC is working with the Deacons to lead the congregation in caring for one another. She also assists with worship leadership, the Core Education class, and more.

Leach said FPC officers have called people faithfully, members have served on the Task Force for reopening, DVDs of services and meals have been delivered to homes, and the committees of the church have continued to meet to address the needs of members of the congregation, as well as issues revolving around the FPC facility and finances.

Also, incredibly, thanks to the goodness within their own hearts, separated members are reaching out to one another.

“Especially, I am thankful for the many times I hear from members about other members – because you have been keeping in touch with each other and caring for one another,” Leach said. “As we all know, this has been a daunting task, and sometimes it seems like we are standing on shifting sand with the situation changing from day to day and week to week. However, we are people whose house is not built on shifting sand but on a solid rock.”

Director of Music and Organist Weston Jennings, who oversees the comprehensive music program at FPC consisting of multiple choirs and concert series, said while he misses it all, he mostly misses his weekly interactions with the Chancel Choir and other musical groups at the church.

“We really are a family and it has been difficult not seeing them and making music together on a weekly basis,” Jennings said.

While the absences are tough, Jennings spoke about how he’s delighted so many in the FPC congregation are finding meaning and encouragement in the recorded weekly services, live-streamed every Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

“I have received countless positive emails from so many and I’m glad that we have been able to offer these services during this time,” he said. “On a side note, most folks wouldn’t normally see what I do at the console in a live, in-person service and now they can actually see what’s going on when I am playing.”

Jennings was referencing the unique camera angle that captures the details and talent flowing from his fingertips as he plays the organ – a from-above angle that looks straight down over the keys, one of the many excellent ideas by the cameraman, Mark Mroz, members of the congregation have deeply appreciated.

Lastly, Jennings wanted to tell members of the FPC congregation that “we have not gone anywhere and even though life brings new challenges these days, we are still here for each other. We will get through this and be back together again in due course. Imagine how great it will be when we can gather again without any restrictions. The day is coming.”

FPC Sexton Jessie Caldwell, Executive Assistant Lyn Odom, Financial Assistant Nanci Pollard, and Director of Communications Maggie Gebhardt also spoke on their feelings about missing normalcy, but said they felt grateful for such a bonded and connected FPC family.

“God is still in control, but I miss seeing your all’s smiling faces,” Caldwell said. “Even if we can’t see each other, through God’s grace and love, we are together in heart and spirit. Miss and love all of you. Stay safe and prayerful.”

Odom said she believes with all her heart, that as believers, all are called to be good stewards of the gift He’s so freely given.

“The gift of our beautiful campus, the gift of its history, the gift of faith, the gift of missions, the gift of its amazing people – we are God’s people and are called to reflect his gift of love,” Odom said. “Please know your FPC staff are here to help you fulfill His gifts.”

“What a blessing it is that we are able to communicate through the internet,” Pollard said. “In my experience, uncertain times bring us closer to God. My prayer is that everyone stays positive, keeps the faith, and prays every day.”

“It’s kind of amazing,” Gebhardt said. “I only began in my position about two months before Covid-19 flipped everything upside down, so I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know many members of the congregation on a personal level. Still, just through my personal and distanced interactions these last several months, I can feel the passion people have for keeping faith alive, for putting God first no matter what hardships come our way, and for being there for one another.”

The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin spoke about how the safety and well-being of the members of the congregation has been “foremost in our minds throughout this pandemic.”

He said FPC has done its best to continue worshipping together in a way that honors the tradition of formal, dignified worship, and maintains a sense of connection with one another. The church as achieved these goals to the best of its ability by producing high-quality worship videos filmed in the sanctuary to maintain a sense of continuity with our regular services, producing Daily Devotionals on video sent to as many within and outside the congregation as possible, sending weekly eNews updates, and often having the diaconate contact as many members of the congregation by phone as possible.

“As we continue to live in the shadow of COVID-19, we are making plans to allow for in-person worship soon. We hope to resume sometime in October, but before we do, we are outfitting the sanctuary with professional quality cameras that will be remotely operated (and thus as inconspicuous as possible), so that those who need to continue worshiping by video at home can do so,” Rev. Baskin said.

When FPC can resume in-person worship, Rev. Baskin explained, it will be done under strict safety protocols, such as requiring everyone to wear a mask and spacing worshipers out (social distancing). More details will be sent out regarding such protocols when there is a firm date for resuming in-person worship.

“We thank you for your patience in all of this, as we have been extremely conservative in our approach because of the high value we place on each other’s health and safety,” Rev. Baskin said. “Until we see each other again, may God continue to bless you and keep you in all that you do.”