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COVID-19 Update
An UPDATE for Worship Service Changes in our Presbytery - 3. 14. 2020
To the f amily of f aith throughout the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta ,
 
Psalm 46:1-7 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.  God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. 
 
I bring you greetings this Saturday morning . Within a matter of days, we have all had to adjust and shift in order to be faithful leaders who care for our congregations and members of the community at large amid the coronavirus/ COVID-19 pandemic .
 
In order to remain safe, a consider able amount of our churches and new worshiping communities have made the decision to SWITCH TO ONLINE STREAMING or have chosen to cancel services for a few weeks .
 
On Friday, the staff of th e presbytery met for a ZOOM call (Zoom is an online video conferencing app that is accessible on any mobile device or computer) . We have worked on an updated spreadsheet that lists churches who have made the switch to either streaming or cancellation. We are doing our best to update that list in real time.
 
You may find resources on our website, including the list of congregations with modified, streaming or cancelled services: www.atlpcusa.org/covid19
 
 
Here are some additional updates to consider at this time:  
 
1. Please read this message from our presbytery's Stated Clerk Donna Wells: A word from the Stated Clerk - In the spirit of keeping people safe, all remaining session minute reviews are CANCELLED and will be RESCHEDULED after Easter.
Those dates are:
    • Sunday March 22 from 2-4 at the Presbytery office
    • Tuesday March 24 from 10-12:00 at the Presbytery office
    • Sunday March 29 from 2-4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church 
2. The office of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta will be closed to the public from 3/15 through 3/29. Our staff will work remotely and conduct all necessary meetin gs via ZOOM. If you are on a presbytery committee and need assistance with Zoom or need to test it out, please send an email to Miranda Segrest - [email protected].   
 
3. If you are still gathering for worship, I would like to offer wisdom from our sister, Sue Westfall, who serves as the Transitional Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley. Listen to the following words of wisdom: (full letter can be found if you click here )  
  • Having greeters wear gloves as they hand out bulletins at the door;  
  • Eliminating the Passing of the Peace and handshaking at the door following worship;  
  • Eliminating the passing of Offering plates but having people at the doors on exit holding the plates for people to drop to accept donations;  
  • Eliminating a common cup if communion is celebrated by the method of intinction;  
  • Removing soft toys and books from nurseries where small children might put them in their mouths;  
  • Having hand sanitizer widely available in the church building and increasing cleaning frequency in church buildings.  
  • Encouraging members to stay home if they feel sick or are anxious about coming to worship and other activities.  
4. As we cancel large gatherings and participate in social distancing, let us NOT cancel emotional and spiritual connections. It is our role as the people of faith and leaders to encourage connections in new and creative ways. Now is the time to pick up the phone and call one another. Now is the time to practice a video chat or video conferencing app. Now is the time to leave a gift of extra hand sanitizer and paper goods on your neighbor's doorstep. Now is the time to let people know that you are praying for them . Now is the time to stay home, to gather with your loved ones, and to connect in other creative and digital ways.
 
Friends, we as a staff are working behind the scenes to be a support to each of you. If you have a tech support need or a clarification on how to access information, please feel free to email me ([email protected]) , Mark ( [email protected] ) , or Miranda ([email protected]) . If you have a question surrounding your church or new worshiping community, please reach out to your appropriate C ongregational C onsultant . Clergy, if you have needs for prayer or spiritual support, please reach out to Jane Hubbard, our Pastor-to-Pastor C oordinator ( [email protected] )
 
I can be reached via email, text / call (404-754-3633) , or social media presence (FB/rev.aisha, Instagram/Twitter / preach_eesh , Linkedin / Aisha Brooks-Lytle ) . Please remem ber that you are never alone, even in uncharted territory. We are in this together by God's grace and with God's help.   
 
Much love and deep peace,
 
ABL  
Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, Executive Presbyter  
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta