- Due to the COVID-19 virus, we will not have worship services at church until it is safe and in accordance with national, state, local, and CDC guidelines. We continue to worship online during this time (www.bethelpresby.org)
- All activities, events, and meetings are cancelled or will be held remotely until further notice.
- Childcare is now open with many protective measures in place.
- The church office and building are closed until further notice.
- Meals on Wheels is operating on a modified schedule.
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A Letter to the BPC Family
This letter will be sent out this week through various means, hoping to reach all church members and special friends...
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we cross the two-month mark of social-distancing and protective protocols related to COVID-19, I know that you may be feeling as if life will never get back to normal. This has been a difficult time for all of us in our own ways. For some, it has meant the cancellation of trips, celebrations, and special events. For some, it has meant working and learning, and even having doctor appointments, from home. For many, it has meant being alone. For all of us, it has meant we have not been together in person for worship, Bible Study, fellowship, service projects, and meetings for a long time. I have been so blessed by the way you have all approached this time with patience and imagination, embracing online worship for a time, learning how to meet through Zoom, and finding ways to reach out and care for one another.
As national, state, and local leadership begins to plan for the time when we begin to relax and/or end some of the regulations regarding closures and distancing, churches are also beginning to plan for when and how they will reopen. I know you have many questions and concerns about how and when Bethel Presbyterian will move past this time of full closure into however it will look on the other side. In this letter, I hope to give you an overview of where that planning is at this point.
Based on the research I was able to do with the information we have at this time, and considering all the special circumstances around our church family, building, programs, and groups- I put together an initial plan for a phased reopening of the church, worship, and programs. I gathered a Reopening Task Force comprised of several church and staff members whose areas of expertise, training, or responsibility will be especially helpful in guiding us through this time. This Task Force met and went through my draft plan, making additions and changes to ready the plan to be presented to Session. Session met online Tuesday, May 19, and officially approved the Task Force membership and duties and the adoption of the Reopening Plan. In all of this, there is an acute awareness, that as the situation changes in the world and community, as we learn more about this virus, and developments continue regarding prevention and control of this virus- the Reopening Plan will need to be revisited and revised.
The full document of this plan is 44 pages long, so in this letter I will give you a brief overview of the plan and key information about the
first stages of reopening. As we continue through this time, I will update you of changes and new stages as they approach. As I said, the plan is a multi-staged plan allowing for different activities and groups to return at different times. This plan is in accordance with the PA colored phases and all CDC recommendations.
STAGE ONE
BPC Stage One began on Tuesday, May 19. Movement into this stage required Allegheny County to have entered the PA Yellow Phase, which it did on Friday, May 15. Movement into Stage One also required that the Child Care Board present to Session (and Session approve) a full plan for reopening Child Care that is in full compliance with CDC and DPW requirements. Additionally, before Stage One could begin, hand sanitizing dispensers needed to be installed at key locations, water lines in Child Care needed to be flushed according to CDC guidelines, custodial schedules and cleaning protocols adapted, and an adequate supply of cleaner approved by the CDC for effectiveness against COVID-19 on hand. All these requirements were met, and Session approved the Child Care plan through online discussion and voting on Friday, May 15.
In BPC Stage One:
- Child Care reopens;
- Youth Group can meet outside for fellowship if the group size stays under 25;
- Our custodial team works on an adjusted schedule with additional disinfecting tasks;
- Our office staff works staggered times in the office and continues to work from home if possible;
- Pastoral and program staff continue to work from home offices as much as possible;
- Much of the building is restricted from entry and use;
- Facemasks are required in the church building;
- Worship continues online only, with weekly Bulletins mailed to those without computer access;
- Meals on Wheels continues on a modified schedule;
- All other meetings and groups are cancelled or meet online.
STAGE TWO
Movement into BPC Stage Two will be under the guidance of the Reopening Task Force and will require,
at a minimum
, that: Allegheny County has remained in the PA Yellow Phase for at least three consecutive weeks or has moved into the Green Phase; that all the requirements of Stage One continue to be met without any problems; and additional hand sanitizing dispensers are installed throughout the building.
In BPC Stage Two:
- Child Care is open;
- Youth Group can meet outside for fellowship if the group size stays under 25; or in the Auditorium if windows are opened;
- Our custodial team continues to work on an adjusted schedule with additional disinfecting tasks;
- Office staff continues to work staggered times in the office and to work from home if possible;
- Pastoral and program staff continue to work from home offices as much as possible;
- Much of the building remains restricted from entry and use;
- Facemasks are required in the church building;
- Worship continues online only, with weekly Bulletins mailed to those without computer access;
- Bell Choir may meet for practice and to record pieces for online worship, with social distancing and disinfecting procedures in place;
- Meals on Wheels continues on a modified schedule;
- AA and Pipers have the option of returning with strict limitations in place;
- All other meetings and groups are cancelled or meet online.
As you can see, a full return to worship, fellowship, and other parts of our life together are not included in these first two stages. Because of the risk of gathering in these ways and the complicated issues that surround doing these things safely, the reality is that full return to worship and activities will be quite some time away. While we are all anxious for the time we will be back together, we will not rush to open and put anyone at risk. But having a plan in place and seeing signs of activity beginning around the church gives us hope of that day, whenever it may come.
For now, my dear friends-continue in the faith, hope, energy, imagination, and love that you have been…
And know that you are loved!
You are loved,
Pastor Cathie
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Sunday, June 7 will be our next day to celebrate the Lord's Supper together- while apart. The Worship and Music Committee is excited to be able to help us feel more connected as we take communion at home by offering "take home communion" bags with individual pre-packaged juice cups and our own shortbread communion bread we love so much!
Bags will be available for pick up on Saturday, June 6 from 12-2 pm in the upper parking lot of the church at the Quilters Room doors.
There will be plenty, but it would be helpful if we know you will be coming by, and how many servings you will need.
If you would like to have a communion bag, but will be unable to pick up or have someone else pick it up for you, let us know so we can make arrangements for you!
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CALLING ALL GRADUATES!
Do you know of anyone connected to Bethel Presbyterian who is graduating school this year?
Whether it is high school, college, trade school, grad school … or anything else we may not have thought of …, please let us know by June 1
st
so we can recognize him/her in the June 7
th
worship service.
Please contact Kathy Young in the church office (412/835-0405 –
bethelpres@verizon.net
) with the details, including the name of the graduate, type of graduation, current picture/graduation picture (digitally preferred if possible).
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A Message from the Finance Committee...
The ongoing virus crisis has given us many challenges at Bethel Church. The finance committee wondered how the crisis would impact the giving of pledges and offerings and our ability to attend to ongoing expenses- utilities, salaries, insurance, etc. In a nutshell- your offerings and financial gifts have been steady even in this time of crisis. People have found a way through standard postage, bank and retirement account transfers, or other means to keep up with pledges. On behalf of the Finance Committee and Session of our church I would like to offer a huge thank you to the congregation for the excellent steadfast support of our wonderful church! Cliff Decker, Finance Committee
DONATIONS:
We have received several phone calls and emails asking how to make donations to BPC. There are two ways to make your donations:
1. Write a check and mail it to the church office, to the attention of Nancy Carr (2999 Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102).
2. Log onto your bank website. Select “bill pay” and set the church up as a business you would like to pay. It takes a few moments. You should be able to select the date to send the check and, if you like, you could set up your donation as a recurring payment. The nice thing about paying through the bank is that there are no fees charged. If you send $20, the church receives the full $20. (There is usually a field to write a comment stating where the funds should be applied.)
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Send Some Love!!
SEND SOME LOVE:
Several of our Bethel Church family members are in facilities that are not allowing visitors at this time. They would love to receive notes and emails from us! Thanks to Marilyn Beckstrom and Kathy Young for gathering the following information for us! Please, if you know of someone we should include on this list, let us know!
Artis Senior Living (Art Brandenburg, BJ Gamble, Betty Bauer, Jean Smith)
Maria is the Activities Director. Send emails to her … she will see that the right people get them. Her email is
mdeangelis@artismgmt.com
; 1001 Higbee Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102.
Bethel Park Retirement Residence (Twila Fanning, Donna Kilmer, Charlene Paupa, Rodney Payseure, Betty Ramsey, Nancy Reiche)
2960 Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102.
Concordia of the South Hills (Helen Spence)
1300 Bower Hill Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15243.
Country Meadows (Jean Fishel, Louse MacLachlan)
3570 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017.
Heritage Manor (Marylou Booth)
The Activities Director will see that the residents receive emails. The email address is
activities@heritagemanorsl.com
; 4220 Sawmill Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15227.
Masonic Village at Sewickley (Bette Wetzel)
2316 Masonic Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Strabane Hills Village (Ginny Flynn)
317 Wellness Way, Apt. 102, Washington, PA 15301.
The Residence at Bethel Park (Bert Drummond)
5851 Keystone Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102.
The Residence at the Willows (Mary Jane Hoff - a new member)
30 Heckle Road, McKees Rocks, PA 15316.
The Sheridan - Bethel Park (Meredith Goodwin, Phyllis Criss)
ALSO...
Members who are unable to access the online worship videos are receiving a printed version of the service through the mail. Kathy Young has offered to add messages from church family to those materials. If you have a short message you would like her to include, you can send it to her at bethelpres@verizon.net. Or if you have a video greeting you would like me to add to the worship videos, please email that to me at pastorcathie.bethelpc@gmail.com.
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Worship and Learn at Home
Though we may not be together in person during these weeks, we can still learn and worship along with one another. Here are resources to help us in this new adventure in discipleship...
Worship: Here are the
video
s
for online worship
Bible Study: Online Bible Study is off to a great start! It is easy to jump in, even if you missed the first weeks. Watch you email for this week's Zoom link and study details, and join us Wednesday evening at 7 pm!
Make A Difference:
- If you venture to the store, grab a few extra items for SHIM to help provide for our neighbors in need.
- Go to FREERICE.COM to play a fun game and help feed hungry populations around the world through the World Food Program. You can play from "easiest" to "hardest" so all ages can play. Choose categories ranging from vocabulary and geography to the arts and world languages. Download the app and play on your tablet or phone!
Kids Activities:
Parent Resources:
- Here is helpful article on talking to children about the coronavirus and all that is happening in their world.
- Here is another helpful article on how children can be a blessing to others in this time of isolation.
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This year, as a church family, we are focusing on how we can engage in our life of faith in new and fresh ways. One of the ways I encourage all of us to focus on our spiritual growth is to spend intentional and consistent time in God's Word. I'd like to invite you to join me this year in reading through the Bible- all of it!- in 2020. A helpful and refreshing way to read the Bible is chronologically- which in some cases will be in the way it is ordered in our Bibles, and in other cases will be a "little here, little there" order. To help us with this challenge, I'll put together a packet for each week with the readings that will move us chronologically through scripture at a pace that will get us through the- whole Bible in a year. I"ll post the packet on my Midweek Message and on the website each week. I'll also have a couple of hard copies available at the church. I'm excited about this challenge and hope you will join me!
The most current reading packets are below (all packets are available on the website). You can attack them however works best for you- either a little each day, or big chunks on one or two days.
Let me know if you are joining the challenge!
May God bless unto us the reading of His Holy Word!
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Did you miss a sermon?
Past sermons are now available to listen to on our website!!
Recordings include music, prayers and other parts of the worship service, too!
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This Week
at Bethel Presbyterian
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All activities, meetings, and programs are cancelled this week. Pray for a quick return to learning, serving, and worshiping together in person!
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For a time, we hold our plans in the palm of God's hand...
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MAY BIRTHDAYS
1 Jean Smith
2 Diane Miller
3 Kim Anderson
5 Joyce Pratt
7 Melissa Zeiler
7 Jamie Hannigan
7 MorganAnderson
8 Daniel Wade
10 Heather Hunter
10 Lillian Schoenberger
11 Robert Daschbach
12 Jessica Placke
14 Christina Davin
18 Barbara Schnabel
18 Matt Selle
18 Genna Wittman
19 Gary May
21 Samuel Zimmerman
23 Michele Cobb
26 Robert Smith
26 Brandon Ericson
27 Geoffrey Backstrom
28 Deborah Smith
28 Kim Long
29 James Hunter
30 Frank Jackson
31 Seibert Drummond
31 Marilou Booth
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