COVID-19 Update – Mar 14

Dear Church Family,

After speaking with the church chairman and an RN on the Board, we have made some decisions:

In brief,
                1. We’ll go ahead and have Sunday School (if we have students) and worship tomorrow, March 15.
                2. We will cancel Sunday School and worship service on March 22.

If you are uncomfortable worshiping with us tomorrow, please take care of yourself and stay home. If you signed up to help in some way, teaching, ushering, etc ., please just let us know if you’re not coming. As always, and more so now, wash those hands thoroughly and frequently. As always, and most especially now, please stay home if you aren’t feeling well, particularly if you or anyone in your family has a cough or fever.

We’ll make some adjustments in how we gather: We’ll try to remember to avoid shaking hands and hugging. We’ll have offering plates by the door instead of passing them. We’ll have servers at fellowship time.

Looking ahead:
The Board will meet at 6:30 pm, Monday, March 16, for all Board members who feel comfortable coming.
No GROW groups this week.
No Ladies Lunch this Wednesday.
No Maple Fest at Covenant Harbor March 22.

We’ll look for other ways to connect and communicate at this time.

Cancellations are not done in fear (ok, at times we feel afraid!), but mainly we are led by wisdom and love. In wisdom, we continue to pay attention to the recommendations of our state, local, and denominational leaders. In love, we consider those in our church and community who are most vulnerable to this new virus. Yes, those of us who are young and healthy will likely be just fine if we come down with COVID-19. But in love we can surrender our plans in order to protect our church and community members who are older or chronically ill. Cancellations on March 22 and beyond, as necessary, will also serve to slow the spread of the new virus in order to not overwhelm our local health care system. We want clinic appointments and hospital beds to be available for those who most need it, and we can do our part to slow the spread of the virus by distancing ourselves when possible.

May God be our rock in uncertain times! Let us lean on the everlasting arms, safe and secure from all alarms (Elisha A. Hoffman)!  May we look out for our neighbors and discern how we can be a light and a blessing.

That’s all for now. More communications to come, no doubt!

Love to you all in Christ,
Pastors Sharon and Chris