For the Health of our People
Friends,
The news of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is before us every day. People are expressing varying degrees of concern regarding its spread. Further, many people in our communities have been affected by seasonal flu, including a significant number of students in our public schools. As a measure of reducing the risk of illness being spread among worshippers, we have decided temporarily to suspend weekly participation in Holy Communion during the 8:30 worship service. For now we still plan on serving Communion on the first Sunday of each month in both worship services. Of course, that plan could change as well. When we do serve Communion, measures will be in place to insure the sanitary handling of the elements by those who prepare and serve.
Please remember that people will have different levels of comfort interacting with others during times like this. Some will prefer not to shake hands, give hugs, or make other types of personal contact with others as they might normally do. Some may prefer to limit their time in public as much as possible. We respect the right of each person to make these decisions for themselves. If you feel uncomfortable participating in the community life of the church because of infection concerns, please make us aware of that. A phone call or email will be greatly appreciated. We will honor your choices and do all we can to keep you connected while you protect your health.
With this in mind, I encourage you to observe the following:
Stay Clean. Take reasonable measures to reduce the spread of infection. Wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer and clean frequently touched surfaces. Minimize unnecessary contact with others.
Stay Informed. There are good resources for accurate information regarding Coronavirus, including the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Also, as a timely word shared with the people called United Methodists, I would recommend this brief article shared by Bishop Scott Jones.
Stay Calm. Remember that we are people of faith, and even the threat of pandemic disease is not beyond God’s control. At times of distress and uncertainty, it falls to the people of God in Christ to exhibit the peace that passes understanding.
In His service,
Pastor Dave