A pastoral note:
As we look ahead to "reopening" rumors will abound. May we prayerfully request that our words build up the church, the Body of Christ and our nations and world.
Here's what we are hearing:
From a pastoral letter from our Presbytery:
It is important to recognize that even Phase three of reopening is not a full return to business as usual, for either the wider society or the church. As long as transmission of COVID-19 is known to be happening significantly, special attention to things like physical distancing and wearing masks will be important. Therefore, our church life will not be what we remember before mid-March for a long time.
A recent article employed a helpful metaphor: “blizzard, winter, little ice age.” Naturally, we have initially been dealing with the health emergency in the same way we might deal with a blizzard. We have hunkered down, gotten used to doing more things at home, and generally laid low. But blizzards don’t usually last for 6 weeks or more. So now we are having to face the fact that we are dealing with a seriously compromising winter that constricts and restricts our world in ways that are uncomfortable for a longer period of time. Certainly, through the coming summer we will be dealing with this “out of season” winter that changes and limits our church life and work in many ways. And though the “little ice age” part of the metaphor may seem extreme, it is likely that we need to be prepared to cope with enduring changes in our lives, including our church lives, for at least the next 12 to 18 months.
So, to end where we began, disruptions in the routines of life are not unusual to the people of God. Moses, Aaron, Miriam and the Israelites in the wilderness, Noah, Mrs. Noah, their extended family and the animals in the ark, Jesus and his tempter in the desert—all found the paradoxical presence of the persistent and loving purpose of God in great disruptions. May we find the same.
From Elder Scott Smith who shared guidelines for churches provided by the National Insurance Board:
These guidelines follow the science provided by the CDC and WHO. The guidelines make clear that all church use must insure the safety of all persons who use the building by requiring all to wear a mask, practice social distancing at all times and in all places, and provide increased cleaning of surfaces and high touch areas after every use.
With an abundance of caution for our staff, congregation and visitors, especially our most vulnerable populations, we will continue to be closed to any but necessary staff until the Session meets and recommends any changes. (Session meets May 17, place TBD).
Recent news highlights the evolving potential dangers for young children. Your session voted to close the building for use by the preschool, because we uphold the safety and care of children above all else. We simply do not have the proper space that the children and their teachers need for their safety and well being. Pray for our teachers, parents and children, for our leaders in education as they grapple with this wilderness.
Because any one of us could be infected with COVID-19 and be both unaware of the infection
and
contagious, there is risk for anyone coming into the church who is not expected and planned for. Please do not come to the church at this time without making specific arrangements. Also, unexpected visits put those who must be in the church at risk. At this time our staff will periodically come to record worship, keep our mail and correspondence updated and perform necessary business.
There will be a time when the session feels comfortable opening a part of the church on a carefully controlled basis. At that time, we shall need your continued understanding that even without symptoms, each of us may represent a risk to others and others may represent a risk to us. Together, we can move forward safely.
With great care and love,
Rev. Dr. Kathryn J. Cameron
