Dear Saint Luke's Family,
 
Following Jesus, we are about togetherness for the purpose of wellness.  On rare occasions like these we are living in, our primary way - gathering - can work against our primary purpose - wellness.  So we are making plans and preparations to adapt HOW we gather, and perhaps even IF we gather, for a period of time, to preserve and protect the wellness of our congregation and community.  

We are doing so by carefully monitoring the recommendations of the CDC and Georgia and Dekalb boards of health.  While scientists continue to learn more about coronavirus, we do know that the virus transmits through close human contact, and its  most significant threat is to those over 60 years old and those with previous health conditions.  
 
With these understandings in mind, we are making the following preparations, in two forms: immediate actions (adaptations undertaken right away) and contingent actions (adaptations undertaken if public health and wellness call for them).
 
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
  • GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES!  The full list for all of us as recommended by the CDC is available here, but the church is also following these specific recommendations:
    • Ample and conveniently available hand soap and hand sanitizer and tissues
    • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
  • NO SATURDAY 3/14 CHURCH BREAKFAST
  • NON-CONTACT SUNDAYS.  Adapted practices include:
    • Not shaking hands or hugging during fellowship, Sunday School, or worship
    • Non-contact "Passing the Peace" during worship
    • Clean service of communion (during chapel worship every week, sanctuary worship once a month) with gloves and cups
    • Non-contact offering collection during worship - rather than pass the plates we will bring gifts forward or to the aisle. 
  • FACEBOOK LIVE BROADCASTS OF WORSHIP: if you are sick, or if you feel at risk, stay home, we will bring worship to you!  
    • Our 10:30 am service can be accessed via the Saint Luke's Facebook Page, and will be posted as a live video, including a link to the worship bulletin.  (The hymns will be printed in the bulletins.)
  • NON-CONTACT PASTORAL AND DEACON VISITS with members and visitors - we will still care for one another through safe visits, phone calls, notes, texts and emails!
  • WORKING WITH OUTREACH PARTNERS to find out how we can support their efforts to serve those most vulnerable to contagions and those most vulnerable to closures and economic impacts.
 
CONTINGENCY ACTIONS:
  • SUNDAY CANCELLATIONS:  IF Dekalb County Schools cancels school on or before Friday of any week, we will not have Sunday School or either worship service, or any scheduled meetings.
    • If Sunday gathered activities get canceled, leaders will still carry out worship at 10:30 am in the sanctuary and make it available by Facebook LIVE broadcast. 
    • A link to the worship bulletins (available every week) will be provided, and we will follow the liturgy with prayers, a sermon, and all non-choral music.  (The hymns will be printed in the bulletins.)
  • OFFICE & BUILDING CLOSURE:  IF City of Dunwoody offices close, we will close the church office and the building for any non-essential purposes.
    • Family Promise will be free to make its own decisions about use of its space for best serving its guests. 
We are in uncertain times, to be sure, but as we face them, we heed the angels' call to "be not afraid" and the prophets' call to "be wise and good."  We trust good health practices will yield the safety of our church family and community.  And we pray for the wellness of our community, especially for those who are serving the community as health professionals and public safety workers, and especially for those vulnerable to health concerns and the economic impacts of response.
 
As we watch and wait and trust and respond, we remember God's ancient promises:  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with y'all; when through the rivers, they won't sweep over y'all....  I am the Lord your God, the one who makes and keeps y'all well." - Isaiah 43:2,4 (CEB)
 
Peace,
The Saint Luke's Staff
 

Saint Luke's Presbyterian Church | 1978 Mt. Vernon Rd. | Dunwoody, GA 30338
 770.393.1424  |   slpres.org