By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

In a year when the entire planet has felt the effects of unprecedented illness, many are struggling to fend off sadness at what is usually one of the happiest times of the year so they are turning to their faith to sustain them.

“There’s a sense of loneliness and despair but that’s why we walk together,” said Pastor Wally Frisch of Ebenezer United Church of Christ, New Tripoli. “I’ve been inspired by the ministry people have taken up by ministering to others. They’re actually feeling a calling to reach out.”

Many folks want to share their feelings about all that is happening.

“From March through October, my office had a swinging door,” said Pastor Sterling Ritter of St. Peter’s Lynnville UCC Church. “People were coming in to pray or just to talk.

“I usually start with ‘let’s have a prayer.’”

That prayer is often the 23rd Psalm.

Though Pastor Ritter has been dealing with his own serious health issues requiring hospitalization, he has remained available to his congregants.

“People need a place to talk and even though I was in and out of the hospital, I have prayed over and over again, prayed to keep me and the congregants safe,” he said.

For these two pastors, there is much to be said about the power of prayer.

“I would encourage prayer, reaching out to God,” Pastor Frisch said. “When we do that, God places people in our lives that he uses to speak to us, sometimes at church and sometimes at the dollar store.”

“We have to be quiet and we have to be humble, but we have to be looking for God,” he continued. “Look for God in others. Even in creation, when we go for a walk, God reveals himself to us.”

More than ever, this is a time for reflecting on what is important in life and on the true meaning of happiness.

Pastor Ritter stressed there is a difference between joy and happiness.

“Joy is something that wells up inside us in our hearts and minds and souls,” he explained. “We should not let happiness in the material side of Christmas lure us.

“We can still find joy but happiness is strictly circumstantial. We can be robbed of happiness but joy is abiding.”

One way to keep despair at bay is by reaching out to others.

“People feel so wonderfully blessed just by a phone call, just knowing someone cares,” Pastor Frisch said.

“That comes from God, but also comes through individuals.

“God uses people even if they are a thousand miles away from each other. I promise to be there, Jesus said.”

Pastor Ritter finds comfort “in the little joys” of the moment.

“When I can get people to laugh, when I get people to share something during a sermon, that’s where I see the hope.”

He also continues to find hope in his faith community.

“I feel blessed the congregation voted to keep me on as a full-time pastor,” he said. “I have seen a tremendous outpouring of grief, anxiety and frustration.”

But he recognizes “people are extremely attentive and hungry,” and that inspires him to “preach from the heart.”

He credits his secretary, Kim Turk, and her husband, Michael, who serves as treasurer for being his angels.

“They’ve been so very supportive,” he said. “They’re just wonderful.”

Pastor Frisch also recognizes the good people have been doing during these especially trying times.

“I’m encouraged by people who are sticking together,” he said. “I can see people on Zoom and they’re reaching out to other people.

“I’m impressed by the folks that are reaching out.”

“There’s a lot of selfishness, but there’s also a lot of selflessness.”

“We’re in the process of love with each other and reaching out when we have conflict.

“Everyone counts. No one should be left behind. All we’re doing is just trying to follow Jesus.”

Both pastors believe keeping every situation in perspective goes a long way in warding off deep sadness.

“Count your blessings,” Pastor Frisch said. “When people are blessed with a COVID test or gift of food, they pass their gratitude on. That’s inspiring.

“We’re teaching not necessarily religion but the way of Christ. When we just learn to love each other, we find Jesus in that person.

“God says put a mask on. That’s our uniform for this year.

“We want people to feel love so we wash our hands and stay distant.

“We’ll hug each other again, one day.”

“Let’s count the blessings we do have,” Pastor Ritter said. “Let’s talk about that.”