Several years ago, I found myself stumbling across the Slate Project in Baltimore. I was so excited and intrigued by the ministry I saw unfolding there. And then I found #SlateSpeak; a progressive online conversation on Twitter. It was one of the coolest, most interactive things I’ve ever participated in. Now I can’t miss a Thursday night if I can help it.

Over time, new hashtags have been created by the Slate Project; #slatereads and #slateprays. More and more of us are joining in online. We’ve created a deeply grounded community where everyone is welcome. These people mean the world to me. I can’t wait until we meet in real life. But for now, it is this community virtually that continually blesses me.

As a blogger and social media fan, I’ve learned so much from the Slate Projects founders Jason C and Jen D. I’m continually learning from them. Because of them and others, I’m not afraid to try something new and if I fail, I fail.

And here I am, in the midst of a new call and now a pandemic. To say I’m overwhelmed is an understatement. But then I’m reminded of how I’ve been made for such a time as this. I’m live streaming prayer on my personal page. I’m jumping right in and leading virtual worship on my new parishes Facebook page. They are a seven point parish and don’t have much of a history of using media, etc.

I can’t help but think that a God has been preparing us all for this time. We have the gifts and tools to worship and remind people that the church is more than a building. It is the people.

My community is a smorgasbord of blogging friends, seminary classmates and friends, former parishioners, ministry colleagues, professors, friends that are more like family and many many more. As I see each one trying new things, streaming live worships, I feel like I’m in their sanctuaries, sitting around their kitchen tables and so much more. It gives me an overwhelming peace.

Friends, this is not the time we want but it’s what we are called to. A year from now, I pray we look back and say, “Wow…we did that. We made it through that.” The truth is God is with us. Turn to him and ask him to calm your anxious fearful hearts. Turn to the truth…trusted sources but most of all the truth of God.

For such a time as this……