From the Congregation President,
Welcome to 2021! As we begin a new year, we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The St. John Church Council has been discussing the pandemic at each month’s council meeting since last March, deliberating our next steps, monitoring the numbers in Floyd County and the 7- and 14-day rolling positivity averages, and if there is a post-holidays surge in January before reaching a decision on reopening. At this month’s meeting, the Council recommended starting in-person services again on January 31. That could be adjusted depending upon what happens in the next weeks. We have been trying to balance reopening for in-person church activities with keeping everyone safe. Our hope is that vaccinations will keep moving forward and offer additional protection for those most susceptible to the virus. We know that we have members who are very hesitant to return to in-person activities and we have members who are very eager to return to in-person activities. Our thinking through all of this has been to make sure we open safely so our members will be comfortable returning to in-person services.
It hasn’t been easy to strike a balance between being overly cautious and not cautious enough. The St. John annual meeting has typically been held in January when the congregation approves the 2021 ministry support plan, new board members, and conducts other church business. Due to the current state of the pandemic, we are postponing the annual meeting until it is safe for us to meet as a congregation and allow as many members as possible to participate. The St. John Church Council has reviewed and approved the 2021 ministry support plan and new board members in the interim, pending final congregational approval at the annual meeting. The annual report is being prepared and should be available soon.
We ask for your understanding and your prayers—prayers not only for our church staff and Council but for our congregation members (especially those who are most vulnerable to the virus and to the effects of the on-going isolation being caused by the virus) and our community. Please let me know if you have any concerns or comments.
In Person Worship…
St. John will resume in-person worship on Sunday, January 31st at 9:00 a.m. Reservations will NOT be required. Masks & distancing will be required. On entering a Deacon will sign you in for attendance & contact tracing purposes.
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To get to this week's church service please click on the image above or use this link: St. John Worship
To get the bulletin and Taking Faith Home information click on the St. John banner at the very top of the e-Skinny.
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