In-Person Worship Plans
At their February 16 meeting, Session approved a plan for a gradual reopening of the Sanctuary for worship. This plan is contingent on cases continuing to fall in our area of Chester County, and assumes an increasing availability of vaccines. With that in mind, Session approved the following plan:
Through March 14 – Continue with prerecorded 9:00 and 10:42 worship services
March 21 and 28 – Livestream 9:00 and 10:42 services from the Sanctuary
April 4 (Easter) – Hold four outdoor in-person worship services at the farm of church members Franny and Franny Abbott (6:30am, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am). Prerecorded services at 9:00 and 10:42 will be streamed through the website and Facebook.
April 11 – The Sanctuary will open for 9:00 and 10:42 services with 35 openings for attendance at each service; services will also be livestreamed. Services will be 45 minutes in length to allow transition time between groups entering and exiting.
We anticipate that in the weeks following April 11, we’ll be able to increase the number of in-person attendees to 60 per service. A date for this change will be shared as we get closer to that time.
Signups for the in-person worship services on Easter and following will be made available shortly; individuals can either call the church office to reserve a space or use Sign Up Genius (the link will be publicized in the near future). Those without internet access will be receiving a letter regarding this plan in addition to phone calls from their deacons.
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Matthew 25 Lenten Campaign
Imagine finally finding an apartment you can afford, but once you get there you realize that water is pouring through the roof every time it rains, sending pieces of ceiling down all over the floor, ruining your possessions, and causing mold to grow. You call the landlord, who tells you it’s a little water and they’ll be around to fix it eventually, only they never come. You withhold rent to try to get their attention, and end up with an eviction notice for non-payment, even though your lease specifies that the apartment must be habitable.
Situations like this happen all the time. People who can’t afford lawyers get evicted at much higher rates than those with legal representation, even if their claims are valid. It’s for this reason that Friends Association is working with local attorneys through their Eviction Prevention Court Program, a way of helping landlords, tenants, and the courts work together to ensure that all are protected.
Giving Inspiration: Did You Know?
An hour of legal fees for eviction prevention is around $300. Lawyers help tenants and landlords work together to keep renters from having an eviction on their record, which limits future housing opportunities., and helping landlords get paid. It’s a system that makes housing in Chester County better for everyone.
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Women's Group
Tonight is the last winter monthly women's group - all ladies are invited to join in a monthly women's group via Zoom, tonight at 6:30 p.m. We'll spend an hour or so catching up with one another and having good conversation. No need to prep ahead and no need to sign up! Email Elizabeth Hess with any questions (ehess@firstpreswc.com).
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Serving Opportunity with Friends' Association
NIA House, a new program at Friends Association, is a home for women reentering the community post-incarceration. Located in Coatesville, PA, the home provides a holistic and healing space for family reunification. We need your help as we prepare the property to welcome its first residents. We are seeking adult volunteers for an outdoor cleanup on Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 am – 12:00pm. Sign up via the link below and feel free to contact Emily McClure with any questions (e.mcclure@friendsassoc.org) .
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Covid-19 Anniversary
Sunday, March 14 will mark one year since the covid-19 pandemic turned our lives upside down. We transitioned to worshipping, working and learning from home, wearing masks, and maintaining relationships from a distance. This has been incredibly hard, a time that many will be mourning and recovering from for years to come. But we also stand at this anniversary with hope, knowing that spring is coming, vaccines are both already here and more coming, and we anticipate coming together for worship again very soon.
To mark this sacred moment in time, you are invited to come to First Pres on Sunday, March 14 to add your prayers to a Lenten prayer wall. The prayer wall will be set up outside the church, with strips for you to write your prayers on and then weave into the wall. The ampersand design is connected to our Lenten theme of “Again & Again.” It is a visual representation of the prayers of our community, that we come to God again and again, knowing that we are heard and loved and that God’s work in the world is not finished.
The Prayer Wall will be available for your contributions from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 14. You are invited to come to church “again” as an extension of worship and as an act of hope, reminding yourself that that you are part of a congregation that is still pursuing God faithfully as we find our way forward in this time.
If you are not comfortable or not able to come to church, send your prayers to Sara Pantazes or either of the pastors, and we will make sure they are added to the wall.
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New Members Class
We'll be having a New Members Class over Zoom on Sunday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m. If you or someone you know would like to find out more about becoming a member of First Pres, please sign up with Elizabeth Hess (ehess@firstpreswc.com). All are welcome!
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March Anti-Racism Conversation
The March Anti-Racism Conversation will take place on Sunday, March 21 from noon – 1 pm on Zoom. The conversation this month will focus on the intersection of race and housing inequality. We will hear from some local voices to help us understand how this is evidenced in our own community and how the church’s Matthew 25 Campaign is seeking to respond. All church members and friends are invited welcome to attend. Contact Sara Pantazes with any questions at spantazes@firstpreswc.com.
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Stephen Ministry Reminder
The beginning of a new day or a new year comes with the opportunity to make changes in our lives. Sometimes that change is easy and obvious, and other times the path is not quite so clear and navigable on our own. First Pres offers many ways to be in fellowship with other members, but sometimes what is needed most is a one-to-one, personal relationship with someone we can trust to hold what we say in confidence and to help us explore our situation without fear of being judged. Whether you are struggling with the pain of loss or grief, the strain of a broken relationship, the frustrations of parenthood, fear of a diagnosis or the stress of our complicated world, a Stephen Minister (SM) might be that person who can help you process what you are experiencing and walk with you as you move forward. If you would like to learn more about getting matched with a Stephen Minister in a completely confidential relationship, please contact a SM Referrals Coordinator: Rev. Caroline Cupp (484-459-8220) or Mary Pellack (610-570-0886).
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Pastoral Transition Prayers
Our pastors reminded us in their recent conversational sermon about the importance and value of prayer in our spiritual lives – in strengthening our relationship to God and to each other. As you participate in prayer for our church’s transition, know that you are part of a company of many from this congregation who are likeminded in wanting God’s guidance and wisdom in the process.
The Topic for this Week: Pray for the Transition Committee to develop strong communication methods to keep the congregation informed and engaged in the transition process, and for the committee and congregation to be patient in not only listening to, but also hearing each other.
You don’t need to only pray for the topic of the week, but you can continue to pray for previous topics as well or anything that God lays on your heart.
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First Presbyterian Church | 130 W. Miner Street | 610-696-0554
Take care...
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