Dear friends in Christ,
The news about the Coronavirus is unfolding quickly and things are changing rapidly. Heeding the guidance to practice physical distancing and recognizing our responsibility to those who are most at risk and vulnerable, the council and I are cancelling church for at least this Sunday and for all of the Wednesday Night Soup Suppers and Dinner Church. We do this not out of fear but out of love for the neighbor.
At this time, we need to exercise an abundance of caution. This virus is extremely contagious. The medical and health communities have asked all people not to gather in large groups in close proximity to one another. This applies especially to those who are considered the most vulnerable for this disease – which includes babies and pregnant women and people who are over 60 years old and people with other health concerns. That list covers a lot of people in our congregation.
We are choosing to not hold worship services on Sunday, March 15 and on Wednesday nights through April 1 because of our care and compassion for one another and for our neighbor.
We may be cancelling other events in future weeks so please stay tuned. Anne and Ann Marie will be talking about music rehearsals and reaching out to choir members.
Now is the time for us to be creative in the way that we connect. Vicar Becca and I will be sending out reflections and prayers for this troubled time in as many forms as we can. The council is exploring ways to do our business without gathering in person. We also want to hear from you! Our cell phones work, so do not hesitate to call. We are going to be learning to be church-together even when we are not physically together.
One of the implications of cancelling our Sunday morning worship, is that we will not be taking an offering on Sunday morning. However, our bills will still come and we don’t want to get behind. So, even when we are not worshiping on a Sunday morning face-to-face, please mail your contribution or send it electronically. Also, knowing that our income may be impacted, we invite those who are able to give an extra gift to the church to help us through this time.
In such a time as this, it is natural to be anxious and afraid. But just as the angel at the tomb told Mary, “Do not be afraid,” let us hold onto and remember these Biblical verses:
Psalm 121: 1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God"
Romans 8: 38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayers for times such as these:
Gracious God, when disease and trials come, help us to be wise in our actions, loving in our words and confident in our faith in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Pam and Faith-Lilac Way Council and staff