Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I have been working closely with our elected and appointed public officials, healthcare providers and faith leaders in monitoring developments with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and preparing resources for our faith communities. We are in a unique and privileged position to be sharing current and accurate information that will be insightfu.
Our trusted voices in emergency situations can counter fear and encourage both preparedness and responses that will benefit our members, healthcare providers, schools and neighbors. This message is being sent to our entire mailing list thinking it may benefit everyone. It includes information to help maintain operational continuity including prayer and worship life that illustrates how others reading this may be motivated to help you.
Health experts agree that common sense prevention is very helpful and important to reiterate.
- Wash hands frequently and effectively that means for 20 seconds
- Stay home when sick
- Call for medical care in advance to going into any doctor’s office or hospital
- Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing (using a tissue or elbow instead of hands)
- Become comfortable touching elbows instead of shaking hands
Out of respect for those avoiding large groups, it is a good time to prepare home-based worship resources including live-stream services and pastoral care for the greater community. Here are links for connecting people in small groups for worship (virtual gathering) and
video streaming camera
; online software like
ZOOM.
In addition, the Rev. Dr. Scott Wennette, Pastor of Rockville United Church,
esw@rockvilleunitedchurch.org
is willing to provide technological assistance.
An edited version of the County Council session this Tuesday featuring Dr. Earl Stoddard, Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security, and Dr. Travis Gayle, Montgomery County Public Health Officer, explaining COVID-19 and how Montgomery County is prepared for dealing with it may be
viewed here.
Our
Public Schools
are well prepared and doing a wonderful job communicating with parents.
Our County Executive, Marc Elrich, encourages us not to panic and be prepared for addressing bias toward our Asian neighbors. Bias is emerging in our schools as well as public areas and it deserves to be addressed in our worship services this weekend.
