Today we have some important updates about worship this week and the rest of Advent. John Jay explains it all in the audio below along with some updates about ways you can engage in the Advent season outside of Sundays. See below for a written version of the update.
THE FRIENDS IN DEED GIFT DRIVE
Hey friends,
Pastor John Jay here. Very important set of updates for you today, so please listen to the end. I am going to share some changes to Sunday worship, and then Pastor Lindsay will share some exciting other announcements. This coming Sunday, December 6th, we will be suspending our outdoor worship service for one week. In its place, we are putting together a special Advent Liturgy for the Living Room. We are also postponing our Saturday family worship in the grass, and will be setting a new December date for that family worship event. Pastor Lindsay will be in communication with our families once we finalize details.
So why the changes and cancelations? Simply put, we recognize that the virus is surging in our area and want to take extra precautions to continue worshipping safely and together. Our Covid Advisory Team in collaboration with our Board and staff met this week over Zoom to adjust our winter plans so that we can keep meeting safely. Our plan is to return to the garage in one week on December 13, with some adjusted expectations and safety measures. We are returning to a more drive-in model of worship, especially for folks who are high risk. We will therefore be reducing our seating area and spreading the chairs out a little further, as well as doing temperature checks on the way into the garage for everyone. We also will be asking everyone to head on home pretty soon after worship concludes to avoid mixing households in close conversation. I get it, we love and miss one another. And we will keep doing everything possible to safely gather for worship together. But we need everyone to continue in our community agreements and practices while in this critical period of time. The end is in sight, so lets all get there together!
So far none of our staff or leadership have gotten the virus, thanks be to God. This has been at great personal sacrifice on the part of these leaders, who all have cut every unnecessary risk out of our lives so that we can continue in our vocational service. Please pray for your pastors and leaders. And pray for one another. The holidays are a season full of heightened emotions, and we want to keep showing up for one another in generosity and love. To do that we will be asking you to embrace our four main practices when in the garage. Please correctly wear a mask at all times when not in your vehicle. Especially we must all give our neighbors at least 6 feet of physical distance when talking. If you have been symptomatic or been exposed to someone who has tested positive, please stay home and listen to our streamed worship service online until you are able to return safely for yourself and others. And continue to sanitize your hands and avoid touching your face often.
Thank you for your support and prayers as we make some adjustments for our continued safety and togetherness.