Dear church family,
As Pastor Marilyn is away due to a family member’s health, this week’s service will be a pre-recorded one from last year. Worship link at https://youtu.be/YIPjCnXuafI
You will find the service document attached and it will be available on the website as well. Part of Pastor Marilyn’s weekly message from last year is also included below:
“You might notice a little doggy face peeping out at you this week during worship. It was not intentional, but it certainly fits with us marking the season of creation. I had to tape my part of the service from home since I was waiting to hear back on a covid 19 test. Our dog Sophie quietly took her place behind me and checked out the camera. Fortunately, the letter carrier did not come while we were taping or you would have seen and heard Sophie.
As a congregation we are trying to maintain as much of our regular ministry as possible. This is a learning experience for us all, but it enables us to still be in mission during a pandemic. Thank you for your continued efforts to keep in touch and care for each other. I have appreciated your support and encouragement and suggestions.”
To Note: Synod Leadership met in a virtual Town Hall on Sep 8th with about 70 faith leaders, lay and rostered gathering together. There are specific guidelines to follow in order for our congregations to continue meet safely.
1.Synod encourages our faith communities to continue to move forward with face to face community activity, including in-person worship, complete with Holy Communion, congregational singing, etc.
2. Synod recommends that faith leaders continue to encourage their people to be vaccinated for the safety of the whole community.
3. To protect our children, and to protect those among us who have not been vaccinated, synod recommends that faith communities mandate masking at indoor events, including worship. Faith communities should provide masks at the door so no one is turned away.
4. Given that our children are not able to be vaccinated, synod recommends that faith communities do not hold in-person Sunday School gatherings this fall.
5. Synod recommends the continued vigilant use of hand-sanitizer when we meet, especially for those who may be assisting with communion.
6. Synod recommends that church visitors and worship attendees sign-in for contact tracing purposes.
7. Synod recommends that we delay for a time:
a. the use of the Common Cup in worship.
b. the practice of physically sharing the peace with hugs and handshakes.
c. the practice of the pastor shaking hands with the gathering following service.
d. pot-luck meals. If a shared meal is deemed as needed, a served meal or at least a served buffet is preferable.
Many of us were hoping that this fall would be less complicated than our experience in the 2020-2021 program year. While it is disappointing that we are still working out how to navigate yet another wave of the pandemic, vaccination levels certainly give us a better place to stand. Synod will gather faith leaders together in coming months as the world unfolds.
As children we used to sing, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” That matters to us especially as we continue to walk this challenging road. Pray for each other. Be kind to each other. Peace, Bishop Sid
God bless and keep you safe!
Pastor Marilyn