Plan to Resume Worship Services

I long to return to in-person worship.  Many of you have communicated your longing to return to in-person worship services as well.  That said, our Lord counsels us to love each other as he loved us.  Part of loving each other during this season is refraining from in-person worship. As our Bishop has reminded us, worship is essential; meeting in person for worship is not.

We have not established a definitive date when we will return to in-person worship services.   Before we return to in-person worship, we must first secure access to a consistent source of specific cleaning products.  Additionally, we will be guided by recommendations offered by governmental officials and medical experts.

Be advised that when we do return to in-person worship services, the new “normal” will be different than it was prior to the start of the pandemic.  Changes will be made to existing practices in an effort to protect our most vulnerable members and our community as a whole.  For example, when we first return to in-person worship, we will limit the number of worshipers at each service, we will wear facemasks, we will not use bulletins or hymnbooks to prevent the possibility of spreading coronavirus via these materials, we will not pass around the offering plates, and seats will be disinfected between worship services. Some of these practices may seem overly restrictive or cumbersome.  But again, loving each other in this season means engaging in practices designed to minimize the risk of inadvertently spreading a virus that has already claimed too many lives.

Until we do return to in-person worship, let’s engage online.  Worship services continue to be available at 9am and 11am.  Additionally, numerous small groups are meeting online.  Let me know if you need help finding one.

Finally, it’s easy to feel isolated in this age.  But remember, our Lord promised to be with us even until the end of the age.  We are not alone, friends.  We have God, and we have each other.  Thanks be to God.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Laura