July 17th, 2020
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This is a frustrating and confusing time. The governor began to lift restrictions over a month ago; businesses are opening; plans are being made to start school in August. And yet, after three months, we are still not worshipping as a body. How long is this going to go on? What is our plan to move forward?
As we evaluate the data and make plans for corporate worship, there are two principles to keep in mind: First, we are called to worship together. This is our duty and our privilege as those who acknowledge Christ as Lord. However, Christ also commands us to love our neighbors. Some of what we most love about corporate worship—singing, mingling, communion and shared indoor space in our sanctuary and classrooms with folks of all ages—creates the perfect conditions for COVID to spread. We must attend to the risk not only for ourselves but also for the most vulnerable in our congregation and in our community.
We miss worship in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings; however there are other ways for us to gather. This season presents a particular opportunity to draw on and strengthen our congregation’s ability to minister to one another as we worship together in smaller groups.
We encourage you to take advantage of one of these opportunities:
Join a gathering over Zoom to go through the Blacknall liturgy together. For many of us, gathering virtually remains the best option. Click here for more details.
Invite people over for a small outdoor worship service. Some of you have already begun to try this. Consider reaching out to some people in your Neighborhood group, and contact Goodie Bell if you would like help connecting with other Blacknall members. We ask groups to follow these guidelines.
Meet outside in small groups, with no more than 10 people (or 2-3 households) present. Start small, perhaps with one or two others. Outside is safer and strongly preferred.
Maintain social distancing. Arrange seating to allow at least six feet between households.
Wear a mask whenever six feet distancing isn’t possible (and always when inside).
No common food should be served.
Hosts should make plans for safe bathroom access. Provide individual hand towels for guests. Post instructions: Wash hands for 20 seconds. Use towel to dry hands and turn off faucet. Dispose of towel in wastebasket.
Everyone present should use hand sanitizer (or wash hands) before and after the gathering.
Support those at higher risk (older individuals, people chronic medical conditions) or who do not feel comfortable attending in-person worship.
We are working on a plan to offer Communion to those who remain at home and to those who gather in small groups. We are making the necessary preparations for reduced-capacity services in the church building when the right time comes. We will also continue to adapt the Worship from Home format, including possible video and live stream options.
For the last several months, the Infectious Disease Response Team (Jeff Baker, chair, Martha Carlough, Rich & Margaret Frothingham, Karl Umble, Matt & Kendra Varnell) has led the congregation’s response to COVID-19. We want to let you know that the IDRT has completed its work as an emergency response team; we encourage you to reach out and extend your thanks to the team members. The session has asked Jeff Baker to continue as the chair of a smaller Health Advisory Team (HAT), which will provide counsel to the Session, pastors, staff, and ministry leaders.
Times of instability and uncertainty tempt God’s people to grumble and give up. This is no less true for us than it was for Israel. Yet, as the Apostle Paul reminds the church in 1 Corinthians 10, even in the Sinai wilderness, Christ was there—He was “the spiritual rock” (1 Cor. 10:4).
We find ourselves wayfarers on a journey, and we may face a long path ahead. We need to imagine new ways to walk alongside one another, but we are not alone. As the Lord provided food and drink for His people in the desert (and even a portable tent, the tabernacle, so that they might worship along the way), we, too, can trust that the Lord is faithful.
Yours in Christ,
The Session & Pastors