On Wednesday the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the statewide mask mandate, leaving counties and local organizations to enact their own individual policies. While we celebrate another opportunity to “return to normal”, the timing of this ruling is especially challenging for us at St. John’s as plans and policies for our Holy Week worship services have already been communicated over a period of several weeks. Numerous households have planned and registered for worship with confidence and understanding of St. John’s policies, prior to this ruling. Similar Covid related legislation changes have occurred in the past, and as communicated, our intent is to continue our practices through the weekend, await any local government expectations, and communicate the next phase of plans for St. John’s ministries the following week.
For this reason, masks at all of St. John’s worship services throughout Holy Week are strongly encouraged. We are asking that you please wear a mask out of love and support of your neighbor and in the Christian unity God calls us to as His congregation.
We understand the struggle this has been for many people of our community and congregation. We also know that the journey God has for us in worship this Holy Week brings us to the cross of Jesus; where our struggles, brokenness, and the sickness of sin have been securely dealt with through a Holy sacrifice, that we might come by God’s Grace, through faith, into His presence as forgiven children of God. How fitting it is that this Holy Week we would be called to “Return to the Lord.”
Resting In God’s Promises,
St. John’s Pastoral Team & Worship Ministry
