Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
Blessings to you and everyone as we continue to face these challenging days of COVID-19.
The ANE District wants to be clear that we should not be gathering in order to protect ourselves and the vulnerable among us, and that we all continue to adhere to the current (as it has been changing on a daily basis) CDC and Statewide guidelines for our gatherings:
We also encourage pastors, church leaders, and everyone to take seriously that the restrictions for our gatherings we are currently under may continue for many weeks. There is nothing good about the Coronavirus and the impact it is having on all our lives, especially those who are infected by it and have lost loved ones because of it. No doubt this will have a lasting impact on our world and local communities for some time.
And so this is where we as the Church have an opportunity to shine. We are in such a time that people need to know the hope, strength, and peace of Jesus Christ, and so very importantly, to know that they are not alone in facing the days ahead. What are creative ways we can begin to meet the needs of our communities? What does it mean to be the Church and in community beyond our four walls each Sunday? How can we expand our understanding of ministry and be leaders for our communities, and not just react to the moment?
Streaming Worship Services and Using Virtual Meetings
One such way that some congregations have already implemented is to use the gift of technology to reach out and stay connected with one another in these days when we cannot physically meet together. Consider temporarily setting up a way that your congregation could still share services over the internet directly with your own members.
Options could include Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or–perhaps best of all for smaller congregations–a Zoom video conference meeting. If some of these options seem appealing to your congregation, but you aren’t sure how to proceed,
Mark Myers and Enten Eller have offered their expertise to assist you. Mark is a member at Little Swatara who starting live streaming a year ago which has grown into an impactful ministry. Enten is one of the pastors and the Tech Deacon for Living Stream COB, our only online congregation. Please contact either Mark or Enten at:
Please include your name and phone number in your message so Mark and Enten can call you to discuss what options work best for you. This is a great opportunity for us to let God lead us into new ministries.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
In Christ,
Pete Kontra, District Executive
