Greetings Church family in Jesus’ name,
This season of life and ministry that we are experiencing is causing once in a lifetime level disruption to our lives, our finances, our church, our economy, our country, and our world. We are all experiencing the stress of this unique season in different ways and we all have different questions. I can’t speak to the world or the economy but I would like to help answer as many church-related questions as I can. Therefore, I am writing to you with a bit more information than my typical weekly letters during the pandemic have had and a request. 

First of all, please know that ALL churches are experiencing very similar challenges, heartaches, and disequilibrium that we are feeling. A recent Barnum poll showed that only 46% of regular church attendees before the pandemic have attended church, either in person or online, in the last month. We are weary of the shutdown restrictions, confused about conflicting scientific advice, and fearful for many reasons. Add to that the violence we see, the hateful rhetoric on social media, and the discouraging news we hear each day. In the midst of all this, we need the Church! Many of us have not been able to engage in the worship we love, the ministries we’ve been called to, or to fellowship with the believers in person for many months now.
Our Church Council has just made the difficult decision to delay indoor worship until August 16 th due to spiking cases in Jackson county. We are doing our very best to listen to our whole church: those who feel we should be back to ministering completely normal and those who believe we should still be closed and totally online. Our church leadership and I hear both sides from you all as well as many voices in between. As such we have a difficult line to walk, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus, we are prayerfully trying our hardest to reopen the church as safely as possible while at the same time honoring, loving, and serving those who must or choose to stay home for now. My request: please be in prayer for our denomination, your pastor, and our Church’s leadership and do your best to encourage them in the Spirit as they seek to serve you in Jesus’ name!
 
Here are some FAQs:

Where are the guidelines for how we gather indoors coming from?

There is no short answer to that question. There is a lengthy, complicated, and ever-changing series of requirements, best practices, and recommendations at multiple levels from both inside and outside the church that we have been compelled to consider and follow. The State of Illinois has issued best practice guidelines for religious institutions.  Our United Methodist Conference and Bishop have required us to follow those guidelines with some changes outlined in the “Coming Back to the Heart of Worship” resource on the IGRC webpage. Our UMC Cache River District office has required us to form a Task Force to create a plan for recommencing indoor worship.  Our MUMC Church Council has created that Task Force, reviewed and revised their plan and put it into action.  Our Task Force met, researched, and prayed to come up with the best possible indoor worship plan following all of the above guidelines. And last, the Pastor needs to approve, because ultimately, I have to be comfortable with anything we do in worship.
 
How does the RSVP for indoor worship work?
We sent out yellow cards for congregants to make a one-time RSVP for the service they plan to attend once we are indoors. You may also register your one-time RSVP anytime by calling or emailing the Church office. The options are the 9 AM service (for senior citizens and those with underlying health conditions only) and 10:30 AM (for everyone else with nursey provided). You do not have to RSVP each week. Only one time. (You can still mail your card in to make a reservation it is not too late.)

What is our plan moving forward?

I have asked each ministry leader to prayerfully evaluate what ministries can and should recommence by asking the following three questions: 1. Was this ministry effectively making or growing disciples? 2. If so how can it safely recommence? 3. If not, is now the time to let it go? Each of our committee and ministry team leaders will be asking these questions of the ministries that they oversee and will report their plans to proceed at our next leadership Retreat scheduled for September 13 th . More information in the August Compass.

Where is everyone?
Our congregation ranges everywhere along the spectrum of deep feelings about the pandemic. Many of you are ready to come back to worship indoors yesterday and I rejoice over you and plan to work to get us indoors safely as soon as possible! Many of you will be waiting until the all-clear is given before you return and I rejoice over you as well and pledge to continue high-quality online streaming worship opportunities. As your pastor, I will not pressure or guilt any of our congregants on either side into something they are not comfortable with. 

How are we doing financially?
          
Thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, and His work in each of your hearts and lives, all reports are that we are doing well financially. Many of you continue to give both regularly and sacrificially to the ministries of the Church. Praise the Lord!
 
If you didn’t get to worship with us Sunday or don’t have Facebook, here’s July 26 th ’s worship YouTube link: https://youtu.be/bWqUavpJalk

Reminders and Encouragements:
  • Weekly worship [We hope to be indoors for worship August 16th!]
  • Thursday Prayer & Praise at 5:15 PM
  • Sunday worship [9 AM outdoor] 10:30 AM online!
  • Last Sunday’s Worship July 26th) on YouTube https://youtu.be/bWqUavpJalk
  • Backpack Attack drive-through donation event, 10 AM-noon (school supply list was mass emailed and available on our Facebook and website)
  •  Holy Communion next Thursday, August 6th online at 5:15 PM.
  • Please continue to give! https://app.sharefaith.com/app/giving/Murp9999918
  • If you’re in need and cannot get assistance, don’t hesitate to call or email the church office and we’ll do what we can to help out!

God be with you till we meet again, in Jesus’ Name, amen!
 
Many blessings in Jesus’ name,
Pastor Danny


Please note in a effort to get this to as many members as possible we are using all of our contact list so you may receive it more than once. If you think some isn't getting this please forward or share it with them.