U Matters

As a faith community, we worshipped online more than half of 2020 and, as we enter 2021, we continue to be online. Sometimes I wonder, will the novelty of watching or worshipping online wear off? Will people start to make other extra-curricular activities a priority on a Sunday and forget worship altogether? According to a recent Gallup poll, it would be in our best interest to continue to engage in weekly worship. Although this is a study conducted in the USA, I think its findings are compelling.

As many of you know, Gallup surveys Americans' mental/emotional well-being and has done so for the past 20 years. A recent poll (November 2020) found that Americans who had stated they had excellent mental health now dropped by 9%. This is the largest drop since the poll started. In fact, Gallup found that during 2020 every category surveyed declined in well-being regardless of the demographic.

Interestingly, however, when it comes to church attendance there was a shift. People who attended seldom or never saw a 13% drop in their well-being. People who said they attended church monthly had a 12% drop. But people who attended church services weekly had a 4% increase in their well-being (Preaching Today, 4 January 2021)

This is amazing. Attending church and worshipping weekly increased mental health even during a pandemic. Although the survey did not specify if people attended online or in-person we are reminded of the value and importance of consistent church attendance and worship. Hebrews reiterates this, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-26

We hope you continue to join us for online worship each Sunday - 9:45am and 11:15am and if you know someone who might find it encouraging please share the link to online worship - it’s good for their health.

Blessings, Pastor Michele