The intersection of COVID and Conservative Christianity - Why I'm not in church today

 I have a health blog, and I've not yet written about COVID.  It's not like I have followers waiting on this post, it's not like I have any information available that you can't look up from more reputable sources, but there are a few things that need to be said as I sit home in my second week of ever intentionally staying home from church other than for an illness or travel.  I might write a few of these in a row addressing several aspects of the intersection of COVID and Christianity.

When the NY shutdown began in 2020, the church doors were closed to the public, but the definition of "essential services" was rather open and I was part of a small team that made sure that some of the spiritual needs of our church family were met through remote video services.  My personal goals were not just continued teaching (which pastor was right could come from any of the more famous and better produced online preachers) but also to keep our spiritual family connected, to keep showing them familiar faces and familiar voices, the familiar piano and sanctuary...  these things are important to mental health as much as spiritual health.  As the pandemic stretched on, this connection was essential to the continued maintenance of our congregation.  Building maintenance, pastor salaries, and congregant needs don't vaporize just because people are staying home from church, but donations and prayers can.  I encourage you whatever your church's stance on COVID, to remain connected to your church family in some way.  

So why the turn about, why am I home while others are fellowshipping, when before I was fellowshipping while others were home?

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Romans 13:1 ESV

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-proof-full-vaccination-or-mask-requirement-businesses-and-venues

I understand the pressure on our consistory, that we are a small church that takes pride in being a "mixed multitude" that can have very different positions on many issues, but yet we hold some central truths as important enough to stand together.  We may interpret the bible differently, but we do believe the bible is the sole rule of truth and practice.  But...  if the consistory is unwilling to stand buy the governing authorities, and asks me to follow my conscience, I must obey the governing authorities as an individual.  Since I have no control over the behavior of others, the only thing within my power is to withdraw from others breaking the executive order while this executive order is in effect.

My role physically at church isn't very important, any teenager or photography buff can repoint the camera.  My husband's role is more essential, he needs to be there to make the stream run efficiently.  (Partly because he's just too stubborn to accept help, partly because he keeps adding new fancy features and the help he has has trouble keeping up with the changes.)  I respect him continuing to provide that support, and he respects my decision to stay home.

I will continue doing the things I do outside church hours to support members of the church.  I am watching the sermons from home that I'm usually on the other end of.  I'm trying to get over my social anxiety and pick up the phone to arrange to go visit some folks bound in their private residences so that I might be able to continue to gather together with fellow believers in some way.

I will be back.  I realize COVID executive orders have the habit of getting renewed and this might be longer than the currently stated weeks.  I miss you all.