March 13, 2020

Dear Longview EPC Faith Family,

Your Session has been prayerfully considering the recent developments in our community regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). With steadfast confidence we place our trust in Jesus Christ and state we have no reason to live in fear. Development of new diseases that potentially lead to death have been occurring for thousands of years. God is still sovereign. Love still reigns. 

It is with expression of love in mind that your Session has been considering the information currently available regarding the potential exposure and spread of COVID-19 to ourselves and others; and has made the following decision:

  • Sunday worship services and classes are cancelled for March 15 and March 22. Within this two-week time frame more data should become available regarding virulence in our community. That data will be used to make decisions about future large group gatherings.
  • Small group gatherings will continue per the leader’s discretion. Our city is not on quarantine and smaller gatherings may be helpful ways of keeping our faith family in contact over the ensuring weeks. Please check with your leader for the most recent updates.

Along with other leaders throughout our country we encourage those who are feeling ill or are in the “at risk” category (see below) to remain at home.  If you need assistance, please let us know ( 903-234-0032 , dashley@epclongview.org , skral@epclongview.org , swhite@epclongview.org ).

Thank you very much for your flexibility, patience and prayers (see below) during this time. The next few weeks will present unique challenges for those in Longview and beyond, which means the next few weeks will present great opportunities to love the vulnerable, care for our neighbors, and bear witness to the hope we have in Jesus during times of trouble.

We are grateful to be together as a faith family during this time,
The Session of Longview, EPC

According to the CDC, the “at risk” population includes:
  • Older adults
  • People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

Recommendations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
·          Wash your hands for 20 seconds
·          Use hand sanitizer
·          Avoid shaking hands
·          Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
·          Disinfect frequently touched objects using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
·          Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with those who are sick


Prayer (based on Anglican Book of Common Prayer, “In Time of Great Sickness and Mortality” )
O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we run to you for comfort. Deliver us, we ask, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; make prosper the means used to bring about cure; and grant that, realizing how frail and uncertain our life is, all may turn toward, and trust in, Jesus Christ, our Lord for peace and eternal life. Amen .