Congregational Update
May 6, 2021
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Dear Church Family,
As the world and our nation continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our Task Force wanted to provide an update of where we are and our plans for loosening safety protocols for worship and gatherings in the future. The Task Force uses real world data, primarily from the state health department, to follow outbreaks in our community and to make recommendations for church operations with the health and safety of our congregation at the top of mind. In serving you, the Task Force is committed to transparency and welcomes your questions, comments and concerns. Above, you will see a chart that members of the Task Force have put together, and have been monitoring since the first large outbreak in Florida last summer, which reflects the risk of holding in-person worship services – the higher the “risk score”, the greater the chance we have of seeing a service-related COVID-19 transmission event. Scores shown for each day reflect the average risk scores for that day, plus the prior 6-days (i.e., 7-day rolling average), and are based on publicly-available data from the Florida state department of health that track: (i) new daily COVID-19 case numbers (at both the county and local zip code levels); (ii) percent positive new test rates (in Palm Beach and Martin counties); and (iii) hospital intensive care unit (ICU) capacity (for all hospitals in Palm Beach and Martin Counties), which assesses the ability of our local health care system to respond to a public health emergency. Please note that this system has been intentionally designed to assess LOCAL risk; not risk across the state or country. The Session has been using this risk assessment to decide what safety measures to put in place for all our gatherings, and takes into consideration recommendations from the Task Force. The red, yellow, and green lines represent ‘risk thresholds’ that indicate when we need to consider tightening or loosening safety measures. When the risk was the highest (above the red line), we suspended sanctuary worship, other in-person meetings, and closed our office. As the risk lowered, we loosened those protocols by meeting in the sanctuary and continuing small in-person gatherings with masks and social distancing.
The good news is that all currently available data and continued roll out of the COVID-19 vaccines indicate that the worst is behind us, and we expect to begin loosening some safety measures soon! The Task Force and Session are in discussions about how and when enhanced safety protocols – temperature checks, worship capacity/registration, and resumption of singing – can be safely removed. As the risk of infection gets lower (as shown in the chart above), the session will continue to make necessary adjustments to the worship service and gathering policies. Everyone, from the Task Force to the Session to our employees, desire to go back to “normal” as soon as we can! But the only way we will get to that point is when the data shows us we are able to loosen safety protocols while also taking care of one another in a Christlike way. Please keep both the Task Force and session in your prayers as they lead this process.
As I prepare to depart the Task Force and Session, I want to assure you that their important work continues! I am immensely grateful for our leaders and experts who have helped us navigate this unprecedented challenge. Not every congregation has been as lucky to have such leadership as ours. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the church office.
In Christ,
Pastor Dan
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Registration for this Sunday's services are now open. Service is at 10 A.M. If you would like to attend this Sunday, please click the link below:
Please respond with the following by Friday at 8:00 P.M.
- Name (or family name)
- Number attending service
- Number of children in Sunday School
- Number of infants in nursery
Registration is first come first served. We will do our best to accommodate everyone's needs. If you are assigned a seat you will receive an email prior to Sunday morning confirming your spot, as well as instructions for that day.
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This Sunday's Worship
Everyone will receive an email containing our virtual worship service on Sunday.
Scripture
Matthew 1:1-17
Sermon Series: Generation to Generation
Sermon: Our Family Portrait
Click here for this Sunday's Bulletin
Please print the bulletin for use at the service
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Notice of Congregational Meeting this Sunday
There will be a congregational meeting following the worship service for the purpose of approving the terms of dissolving the relationship between Pastor and the congregation. This is a standard procedure because the congregation always approves the terms of a pastor arriving as well as departing.
Members of FPC Tequesta can participate in 3 ways:
1. Attend the worship service in the sanctuary and remain after the service is over.
2. Attend the worship service in the parking lot and remain after the service is over. An usher will convey any questions or votes to the moderator.
3. Log into ZOOM at 10:45am and wait to be let into the room in order to participate. You can find the ZOOM information below:
Meeting ID: 912 292 371
One tap mobile +13017158592,,912292371# US
To download the agenda and related materials, click here.
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If you have any prayer requests, please email Kelly at Kelly@tequestapres.org
Are you in need of a pastoral visit? Pastor Dan would love to connect with you. To schedule a visit, please email Pastor Dan at dan@tequestapres.org or call the church office at 561-746-5161.
For all the links to our ZOOM gatherings, click here.
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Thank you to everyone who has given online or by mail! Our combined generosity will enable us to be the church Christ calls us to be. You can give by clicking the “give online” button, by scanning the QR Code below with the camera app on your smart phone, or by mailing a check to our church office at:
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FPC Tequesta
482 Tequesta Drive
Tequesta, FL 33469
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Volunteers are needed!
We are looking for loving individuals to help out during the week of VBS. We are also very excited to announce that we will be doing a one day VBS this summer on July 7th at the Real Life Children’s Ranch. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful hands-on mission opportunity, please see Crystal or Shannon.
Vacation Bible School is a week full of Bible adventure! We will take a journey back to a time long ago and far away place as we quest for the King’s armor. Knights of North Castle is a time for children to armor up with truth, justice, peace, faith and salvation. There will be cool music, exciting science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and unforgettable Bible stories. We can’t wait to see you at the castle! . Our preschool enrollment is FULL, however we do still have space for elementary students.
VBS Wish List: Cardboard egg cartons, pool noodles, curly ribbon string bows, large boxes, white coffee filters
These items will help our VBS campers have a royal celebration this summer! Please drop off donations in the church office anytime.
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First Presbyterian Church | 561-746-5161 | office@tequestapres.org | www.tequestapres.org |
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