Dear Church Family,
I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Handler, our town’s Emergency Management Director, and the town would appreciate our leadership in encouraging all of our church members and friends to practice self-distancing measures in our church and throughout our community. The best action we can take is to set a good example and limit our exposure to COVID-19, so that we have a chance to contain its spread within our town, particularly among the more vulnerable members of our community.
In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he wrote:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.”
Being good and responsive citizens – even if we don’t fully understand or appreciate the guidance given to us – is a very faithful response in a confusing time.
Therefore, as of now, we will be postponing all programming and worship services at our church until local authorities encourage us to resume those engagements. I want everyone – no matter your perspective on the severity of this crisis – to help our local municipalities, by restricting our activities within and beyond the life of our church. Birthday parties, team dinners, social functions, visits to the mall or the movie theater, and other communal gatherings are being discouraged by our emergency management personnel. Please heed their requests and appropriately manage your engagement and interactions.
That addresses what we will not be doing. On Sunday morning at 10:00am you will receive a video link to our virtual Worship Service. During our service, you will learn about the faith activities we are offering and suggestions for how to stay active in our church community from home. We have some exciting opportunities to share with you! Suddenly, unexpectedly, many of us have some unstructured time alone, or with our families, and that can be a real gift if we approach this time as an opportunity to be embraced rather than a challenge just to get through. So stay tuned for further information about the activities of our church!
Yours in Christ,
Chapin
