REZ24

Good evening friends!

We’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our travels to Resurrection this weekend. The current conditions of Knoxville roads combined with the forecast of additional precipitation and freezing temperatures from tonight on makes travel unwise and potentially unsafe. This is not a decision that has been made lightly, and we are disappointed that we cannot participate as we had planned.

One aspect that makes this particularly difficult is that our youth band was slated to perform live at the Friday evening session. I have spoken with the Resurrection Production Team, and they are going to play our audition video during the session! It’s not the same as being there, but the hard work of our Youth Band will still be celebrated. Tomorrow, REZ24 will share a link to a livestream of the event. I will pass it along once it has been sent.

Some logistics to cover:

  1. Please use the link below to let us know how you would like to address your funds paid for this retreat. (Options: transfer to future event, full refund, donation). Click here for the survey.
  2. The church building will remain closed on Friday & Saturday.
  3. Sunday will operate with a modified schedule — one 11:00 service, no Sunday school, no evening programming. Please check the Messenger for any additional updates at the weekend goes on.

When circumstances cause an unexpected change in plans, I find myself considering what the Lord might have for me there. This school year, more than any I can remember, we’ve seen students battling anxiety and stress at a high level. Maybe you’ve been there at some point this year? When something causes us to pause, it allows us the space to rest and recover in a way we didn’t realize we needed. Whether you have cabin fever or are a homebody thriving in this unexpected week, I hope that you will take a moment to pray and ask the Lord to reveal His Presence to you. As we sit with disappointment and frustration, my prayer is that there might be hope and respite, too.

I’m sad to not be spending the weekend with you — those big, family style cabin breakfasts are some of my favorite times. And as disappointed as I am, I’m also relieved to know that we won’t be navigating that curvy road to the cabin in the icy dark. Like so many things, this is both/and. I’m praying for you as we pivot away from our original plans. May this weekend be filled with unexpected blessings.

All my love,

Jenny
jcross@churchstreetumc.org