Some Keep the Sabbath

Many thanks to my friend Anne who reminded me of this Emily Dickinson poem. It seems so appropriate for these Covid-19 times when many congregations choose to keep each other safe and so are reluctant to gather in person to worship.

 
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –

I keep it, staying at Home –

With a Bobolink for a Chorister –

And an Orchard, for a Dome –

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –

I, just wear my Wings –

And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,

Our little Sexton – sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman –

And the sermon is never long,

So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –

I’m going, all along.
                      ~  Emily Dickinson

Our congregation has been worshiping at least nine weeks with the aid of lovely pre-recorded YouTube videos. So we are truly "staying at Home." Our pastor and one musician work diligently to prepare the service, and it is so much more time intensive than preparing a traditional service. With no concrete plans to return to in-sanctuary community worship this summer, perhaps we need to consider an outdoor gathering where we can more fully pay attention to warblers and leafy trees.

Poetry Friday is over at A Year of Reading. Thanks to Mary Lee, and have fun discovering the poem offerings this week.