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COVID-19 Update
To the Saints of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta,  
 
I wanted to take a moment to address some of our shared concerns surrounding worship, community-wide events, and remaining safe in the midst of the coronavirus/COVID-19. Please know that our presbytery staff is constantly in prayer, continually updating resources on our website, and offering updates in real-time via social media. I would like to bring your attention to the following time sensitive items that have an impact on us this weekend. 
  1. Sunday, March 15, 2020 - The Hunger Walk has been canceled as well as the Walk/Run Eucharist BEFORE the Hunger Walk. A few items of note... 
    1. You can still Donate to Hunger Walk online and track our presbytery's progress: Hunger Walk 2020 
    2. 60% of the funds that we raise as a presbytery go toward our P.A.T.H. Grant program, and all churches within our presbytery are eligible to apply for this grant to fund their hunger relief efforts.
    3. 40% of funds that we raise as a presbytery go to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and ACFB is able to leverage every $1 into $9 worth of groceries for hunger relief (enough for 4 meals!).
    4. Thank you for being a part of this annual presbytery-wide effort to address hunger. 
  2. Please read the statement regarding a congregation's decision to gather for worship. It was written by our Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), J. Herbert Nelson. He takes the stance that 'Church attendance is an individual choice.' You can find a link to the full article here:  A word from J. Herbert Nelson on church attendance. I echo that it is each congregation's choice/decision on whether or not to hold services. I spoke with our Synod Executive, Joyce Lieberman, this week. So far, none of the churches within our synod have made the decision to cancel services. If a church does make the decision to cancel services, I ask that you please reach out to your Congregational Consultant or to me directly so that we can share best practices with one another throughout our presbytery.
  3. Please visit our website and follow PGA on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for continual updates and resources on being a church leader in the midst of COVID-19. When you visit our website, you will see a red banner at the top of the page and an orange button on the page. Please click on either link, which will lead you to resources and additional links suggesting ways to be safe and theologically grounded in these times. As always, please continue to pay attention to updates from the CDC, local government officials, and remind everyone to thoroughly wash their hands. 
  4. FOR PASTORS: Please remember that our Pastor-to-Pastor Team is here to be a support to you as a leader in this season. Please reach out to our P2P Coordinator, Jane Hubbard, at [email protected]. She and the P2P team are in prayer for the leaders throughout our presbytery. 
Finally, please know that we are here to be a support and to make wise decisions together. Let us remember that even in hard times, we are still held in God's love and God's care as we seek to support and nurture others.
 
Blessings, 
 
Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, Executive Presbyter 
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta