Blog

If you’re like most folks, you are keeping up with the latest news on the coronavirus. But when news sources and their information conflict, it’s sometimes hard to know who and what to believe. What seems to be true is that it’s only a matter of time before most all businesses and schools will shut down for a period of time. And it may become necessary for churches, including ours, to do the same. But we are not there yet.

Fortunately, this is the last week for our Winter Grow Groups and then we will be off for three weeks. We’ll determine what to do with our Spring Grow Groups when the time comes.

However, as we continue to meet for worship, we can employ the following protocol to be safe and to put one another at ease.

1. If you are sick, not feeling well, have a fever or anything resembling my statements here, please stay home. That’s for your sake as well as your brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. From this point forward, refrain from personal touches, such as handshakes and hugs. Fist and elbow bumps are acceptable of course, but other skin to skin contact with another should be avoided until the crisis passes.
3. Before, during and after worship, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Now, this isn’t mandatory, but it is a really good idea. And feel free to use hand sanitizer or wipes as a good backup.
4. When sneezing or coughing, do so into a large handkerchief or into your arm, thoroughly covering your mouth.
5. We will collect the pens from the seat pockets and will hand them out prior to worship to those who need them. You may take the pen with you or leave them on the floor to be disinfected later.
6. Our custodial staff is disinfecting all surfaces where our hands might normally touch, such as door handles and door crash bars. We need to assist them with volunteers after Sunday worship to do the same.
7. Eventually, as we work out the technical kinks, we will broadcast our service on Facebook Live for those who may feel the need to self-quarantine or if we just need to close down the church facilities for a period of time.
8. If this occurs, please do not withhold your tithes and gifts to the church. We have had three good months of giving; let’s keep up the good work.
9. Most importantly, as we take these and other precautions, PRAY! As believers in Christ we are commanded to pray for one another. Let this verse be our call: Ephesians 6:18, “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

Let us be as one during this time, taking precautions to be safe where we can, as well as being understanding toward one another when some may choose to be more cautious than others. Working together and with God’s ever-present help, we will get through this just fine.

PT

Share