Dear Friends,
The last year has revealed to us time and time again that changes come quickly and often without warning. Of course, we knew that to be true before the pandemic, but the pandemic has offered no shortage of reminders. Maybe like me you experienced this revelation anew when the CDC released updated guidelines for fully-vaccinated people. The change in guidelines brings the excitement that we seem to be turning a corner while also raising questions about how to best care for those who are not fully-vaccinated, children, and the immunocompromised.
The COVID Response Coordinating Team (CRCT) has been meeting weekly since the fall, monitoring recommendations for protocols and making suggestions to Session about the safest ways to gather as a community. This group has thoughtfully suggested protocols that prioritize the health and safety of all members.
To that end, I am happy to share with you that last night the Session voted in favor of the most recent protocol recommendations from the CRCT. In accordance with the updated guidance from the CDC, beginning this Sunday May 30, the following protocols will be in effect:
- Face masks are optional for fully-vaccinated people at both indoor and outdoor worship and other church gatherings.
- Indoor worship will continue to be socially-distanced with limited capacity to create an environment safe for unvaccinated individuals.
- The church building will be reopened, allowing groups to use church space by reservation with the church office. Meeting spaces will continue to be distanced, but masks will be optional for fully-vaccinated people.
- Our Sunday morning childcare workers will continue to wear masks when caring for children.
We believe this approach honors the most recent guidance from the CDC, while also maintaining an environment that mitigates risks for the unvaccinated and more vulnerable among us. And, in the last 15 months we’ve done a stellar job of protecting all members of this community. With that in mind, I trust that even as we make these changes, concern for the health and safety of our neighbors will continue to be a primary value of our interactions with one another.
A quick reminder of our Sunday morning schedule:
- Through June 20, 8:30 AM worship in the Sanctuary and 10 AM worship outdoors
- Beginning June 27, one worship service in the Sanctuary at 10 AM
- The Sanctuary service will continue to be live-streamed and available on our YouTube channel
I want to thank our CRCT and our Session for their leadership this past year. And, I’d like to thank you, the people who are Northridge Presbyterian Church, for creating spaces of grace, welcome, and belonging even under extraordinary circumstances. We are excited to welcome you home!
Gratefully,
Betsy
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Wilson Nicholson, Candidate for Ordination in the PC(U.S.A.)
will be preaching a sermon titled Welcoming the Stranger.
in preparation for Sunday.
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Two worship opportunities on Sunday morning!
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8:30 AM Sanctuary worship (worship from home via live stream or login to our YouTube channel anytime to view this service)
- 10 AM Outdoor worship
Registration is required for both Sunday morning worship services.
Masks and social distancing required.
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BECOME A WORSHIP GREETER!
Have you been waiting to greet & welcome Northridge members and friends back to Sanctuary Worship? If YES, then have we got an opportuntity for you!
Serving as a Sunday morning greeter is simple as 1-2-3:
- Be available in the church narthex between 8:10 and 8:15 AM.
- Welcome and assist folks by checking them in as they enter the Bob-0-Link entrance for worship, then direct them to the ushers.
- After worship, direct folks to the exits so that no one wanders around the building.
We’re all VERY appreciative and grateful for your support and service to Northridge as a GREETER!
Gratefully,
Engagement & Connection Committee (E&C):
Ray Chavez, Erin Bret, Kim Shuler & Kathy Watson
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SAVE THE DATE - FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 4TH |
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Outdoor Concert and Bring Your Own Picnic!!
Friday, June 4th 6:00pm-8:00pm
Bring a blanket or a chair and come enjoy music by the 5 piece band, including our own Doug Fenn, in Therapy Wagon!
Great tunes from the 60’s to current day.
Bring the whole family, invite friends,
and let’s have fun and start the weekend off together!
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Con"grad"ulations to Northridge's Graduating Seniors!!
The seniors are (as seen left to right):
Shay Smith: who plans to attend the University of California San Diego
Analise DuBose: who plans to attend San Diego State University
Hannah Wahl: who plans to attend the University of Wisconsin
Jay Matney: who plans to attend Texas A&M University
Leo Giles: who plans to attend Louisiana State University
Lily Franz (not pictured): who hopes to be working with AmeriCorps
Hannah Wahl will graduate from Hockaday, the rest of the crew will graduate from Woodrow Wilson HS.
We are all so proud of these wonderful Seniors!
Please reach out to them and their families to congratulate them.
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Northridge Kids at Outdoor Worship - A Pray-ground
The kids of Northridge are in for a treat at outdoor worship. There will be a developmentally appropriate, fun, and meaningful area to quietly play outside while simultaneously experiencing the worship service. In some faith formation circles, this is called a "pray-ground". This will consist of coloring stations, playdoh, sand, puzzles and more that will help keep little hands busy while they listen and learn about our worship service and the rituals that are a part of worship. Parents are encouraged to sit near the Northridge Kids area to keep an eye on their child and to allow for a natural flow in the worship service. Our childcare staff will be busy keeping things sanitized between kid usage to help prevent the spread of COVID, and are asked to keep a distance of six feet from the children to protect themselves and others. We are so excited to see and worship alongside our beloved and delightful Northridge Kids!
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NORTHRIDGE VBS
SAVE THE FRIDAY EVENING DATES
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Compassion Camp:
Friday evenings in July
July 9, 16, and 23
from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Vacation Bible School Registration is now live. There are limited spots, so please register as soon as possible. You may register for 1, 2, or 3 nights of VBS depending on your availability!
Also, I am excited to share that there will be a members only nursery during VBS. If you have a 1-3 year old who is not quite old enough for the classes, there is still a place for them! They will spend time playing with church friends in the nursery while parents have a night out.
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Bible Study: Tuesdays - 7:30 a.m.
Studying the Scripture for each coming Sunday. Join us!
Meeting ID: 954 9571 6184
Passcode: 027540
The Wired Word: Wednesdays - 7 p.m.
Christianity and a current event - a group discussion.
Topic: "Uncovering a Massacre Swept Under the Rug for a Century” (the Tulsa Race Massacre)
Meeting ID: 837 1620 1906
Passcode: 681172
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DEACONS' MINISTRIES - Can you help? |
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HELP WITH A MEAL TRAIN!
One of our new families, Katie and Andrew Masotta, has a new baby and we would love to help them with a few meals as they adjust to life as a family of three. The Masotta family currently lives in McKinney (hoping to move down to our neighborhood soon, though) so we have two creative ways for you to provide a meal.
You may order a restaurant meal to be delivered to them through one of the McKinney restaurants or you can send a meal delivery gift card to them so they can order directly (Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Door Dash, etc.)
Please click on the Meal Train link below and sign up for a date. If you have any questions, please speak with Deacon Easy Ezell.
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CAMP NORTHRIDGE - COMING JULY 5th |
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CAMP NORTHRIDGE
JULY 5-JULY 23
We have a few spots open -
register now!
Exciting news for our church! We are hosting Camp Northridge, summer day camp for church members and neighborhood children ages 4-10. Camp will be held July 5-23. This will be an awesome opportunity for our church to welcome young children and families. Please help spread the word to young families. Click here for a list of weekly camp offerings.
Follow us @CampNorthridge on Facebook and Instagram. If you have questions you can email us at: CampNorthridge@gmail.com.
Laurie Bret, Director of Camp Northridge
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Small Group Happenings at Northridge
We’re happy to announce that over 140 Northridgers are connecting and RE-connecting through our small group initiative. You’ve sat around the firepit or you’ve walked around the lake. You’ve shared some pizza, and you’ve shared some stories from our year apart. AND you’ve SEEN each other – in 3D – and connected in a way that is hard to achieve through a computer screen. Hopefully, you’ve also sensed the new energy rising at Northridge and have been able to imagine our bright future together.
If you’re interested in being a part of a Northridge small group, please contact Kim Shuler. And stay tuned for more fun Northridge Small Group happenings brought to you by the Engagement and Connection Committee!
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