Reopening to Reimagining 2021 Update

January 26, 2021

To the Clergy & Churches of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta:

I am writing to you on behalf of the staff and Committee On Ministry (COM) of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. We are approaching a year from the time our congregations and leaders have had to respond to the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so thankful for the ways you all have been consistent and faithful in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are thankful for your virtual and socially distanced ministry that is vital in a world that is in need of a word of hope, mercy, justice, and compassion.

We are thankful that there is a vaccine that is slowly becoming available to those who are most vulnerable and frontline workers. While we are hopeful for the day when we can participate freely with in-person activities, we have a long way to go. We ask that congregations and clergy remain vigilant in doing their best to continue offering innovative and creative ways to connect and worship in a way that keeps people safe and reduces the risks of spreading COVID-19.

We are blessed to report that most churches have met online with only a few key socially distanced leaders in the sanctuary. Churches have participated in socially distanced outdoor services and drive through events. Churches have maintained an online presence by offering worship via ZOOM, Facebook Live, YouTube, and conference call services. Some of our churches have tested the waters and participated in reservation only worship experiences. As COVID-19 cases have been on the rise, some of those same churches have had to go back to online services only. These decisions to go back to online only have been made with deep discernment and a commitment to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in religious settings.

It breaks my heart to report that we have had COVID-19 related deaths in some of our congregations. We even lost someone to COVID who was on staff at one of our congregations. It is for the safety of our congregants, clergy, staff, and community at large that we ask that you still uphold the recommendations from the Reopening to Reimagining Task Force of the Presbytery. They are listed at the end of this document. On behalf of the COM, we ask that congregations refrain from in-person congregational gatherings if their pastor is uncomfortable leading in-person worship. We cannot afford to have another death in one of our congregations. We cannot be effective witnesses to the gospel if we do so in conflict or in fear of our safety.

As presbytery staff working alongside the COM, we are here to serve and support you. We strongly urge you to encourage vaccinations to all who are able to take them. Please be reminded that even with vaccinations, it is important to practice wearing masks and remaining socially distanced. If you need support for ways that technology can assist you in worshipping safely, we are here to teach, guide, and advise you in this new way of being the church. We encourage you to redistribute the recommendations with the task force that is working on a COVID-19 safety plan in your local context. We recommend that you consult the websites that have been helpful in keeping up with the reporting on COVID cases, hospital capacity, and updates on vaccinations.

Please review the three tables below and receive them as our continued recommendations for our churches. We believe that we are still hovering between Phase One and Phase Two. We invite you to stay up-to-date and informed with current data via Opening Up America Guidelines, Georgia Department of Public Health, COVID Act Now and Georgia Vaccination Locations.

Friends, we are headed into another season of heavy lifting. We are here to walk along side to encourage, support, and think through the heavy lifting together. With God’s help, let us cling to God and one another with wisdom, power, and strength. Please do not hesitate to call upon the staff in connection with the COM to guide you in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Let us go forth in faith,

The Committee On Ministry, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta

The COVID-19 Reopening to Reimagining Task Force

Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, Executive Presbyter

Rev. Joy Fisher, Congregational Consultant

Elder Destiny Williams, McDonough Presbyterian Church, PGA Moderator

Rev. Hamilton Barnes, Piedmont Hospital Chaplain

Rev. James Goodlet, First Presbyterian Church – LaGrange

Rev. Bradley Kibler, MPH, Shallowford Presbyterian Church

Rev. Olive Mahabir, First Presbyterian Church - Jonesboro

Rev. Erin Morgan, First Presbyterian Church - Monroe

Rev. Francis Son, Korean Community Presbyterian Church