May 7, 2020
Dear friends,
I hope this finds you well in the midst of the struggles and uncertainties we are facing. I wanted to share with you a word from our Re-Launch Team that met yesterday evening via Zoom as we prayerfully consider how to best move towards the future not just surviving an in-person opening but thriving to continue to be the church God calls us to be, where “all people can worship, serve, and share God’s grace.”
In considering the guidelines from the CDC and Department of Health as well as recommendations from our Bishop and valuing greatly the safety of our congregation and community as well as the instructions of Methodist founder John Wesley’s to “Do no harm,” the Team felt that we as a congregation should proceed intentionally and cautiously in reopening our facilities physically while continuing to connect with one another via multiple platforms socially.
Therefore, we will continue to worship online, have small groups via Zoom, maintain connection through our Care Calls, and we will begin a phased reopening of our physical facilities May 31st.
PHASE 1
May 31st: Small Groups of 10 or fewer people may begin to gather within the church
PHASE 2
July 1: Groups of 50 or fewer people may begin to gather for worship
The Re-Launch Team will continue to work to plan what worship will look like as well as continued phases of opening up the facilities to more people, with the understanding that as new information becomes available and new guidelines are offered, plans may need to be adapted.
Some area churches may open sooner physically, but given the number of our congregants (older and younger) with underlying health issues, the physical makeup of our congregation and increasing numbers of cases in our city and Craighead County we have decided to adopt a conservative approach. We have also taken into consideration the pastoral transition taking place at Cornerstone.
We will continue to seek ways to connect more over the next two months. If your small group wishes for the church to set up a Zoom meeting for you to see each other virtually or a group phone call via Zoom for you to talk to one another, let us know. We wish to be together but more than that, we wish to connect with one another. I pray we will continue to do that, even as we are physically distanced to keep one another safe.
In Christ,
Pastor Kathleen
I hope this finds you well in the midst of the struggles and uncertainties we are facing. I wanted to share with you a word from our Re-Launch Team that met yesterday evening via Zoom as we prayerfully consider how to best move towards the future not just surviving an in-person opening but thriving to continue to be the church God calls us to be, where “all people can worship, serve, and share God’s grace.”
In considering the guidelines from the CDC and Department of Health as well as recommendations from our Bishop and valuing greatly the safety of our congregation and community as well as the instructions of Methodist founder John Wesley’s to “Do no harm,” the Team felt that we as a congregation should proceed intentionally and cautiously in reopening our facilities physically while continuing to connect with one another via multiple platforms socially.
Therefore, we will continue to worship online, have small groups via Zoom, maintain connection through our Care Calls, and we will begin a phased reopening of our physical facilities May 31st.
PHASE 1
May 31st: Small Groups of 10 or fewer people may begin to gather within the church
- (Using physical distancing, masks, and increased sanitation)
- This would include small groups that wish to gather and those working on missions projects if necessary
PHASE 2
July 1: Groups of 50 or fewer people may begin to gather for worship
- (Using physical distancing, masks, and increased sanitation)
- No childcare or Children’s Activities will take place
- The Re-Launch Team will continue planning with Pastor Jonathan what the services will look like to maintain safety, distancing, and limited numbers of people in the facilities simultaneously.
The Re-Launch Team will continue to work to plan what worship will look like as well as continued phases of opening up the facilities to more people, with the understanding that as new information becomes available and new guidelines are offered, plans may need to be adapted.
Some area churches may open sooner physically, but given the number of our congregants (older and younger) with underlying health issues, the physical makeup of our congregation and increasing numbers of cases in our city and Craighead County we have decided to adopt a conservative approach. We have also taken into consideration the pastoral transition taking place at Cornerstone.
We will continue to seek ways to connect more over the next two months. If your small group wishes for the church to set up a Zoom meeting for you to see each other virtually or a group phone call via Zoom for you to talk to one another, let us know. We wish to be together but more than that, we wish to connect with one another. I pray we will continue to do that, even as we are physically distanced to keep one another safe.
In Christ,
Pastor Kathleen