Cancellation of activities due to covid-19
Family and Friends of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church,
This morning Bishop Smith issued a letter addressing covid-19 in which he recommended, among other things, that all synodical churches do not have in-person events through the month of March. After prayerfully considering the situation our council president, parish nurse, and pastor have decided to follow that advice and cancel all events until March 29th, including Sunday morning worship.
This is in no way done lightly but done with a hope to protect the members of our congregation and those they encounter, particularly those considered high risk and vulnerable, those Jesus calls us to consider.
The staff here are working to develop and implement ways to continue to nurture your spiritual life in the meantime. As of now, during the Sunday morning worship time, 10:30 am, Pastor Micah plans to post a video on the church Facebook page which will include the readings for the day, a sermon or reflection, and a prayer for the day. We are looking for a recording of our Holden Evening Prayer service to post on Wednesdays, as well as the readings that would have been a part of that worship.
During this anxious time there are some things that we encourage you to do. The first is be intentional about your own hygiene: washing hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow (what my son calls “germ jail”), refrain from touching others when possible, and keeping an arm’s length distance. Health professionals, such as the CDC, tell us that social isolation, which means staying home as much as possible, is the best way to make a difference in the spread of covid-19.
Second, in times of anxiety it is easy to turn in on ourselves and worry about our own situation, but Jesus calls us to look up and consider the needs of others. There are many people who will be deeply affected by this virus, physically, logistically, and financially. Look for ways you can be a neighbor to others like caring for children so parents can work, calling and checking on folks, particularly the elderly, and supporting organizations that support those in need. We also encourage you to continue to support the church financially during this time, as most of our costs are not contingent on activities. Members can do this online through our online giving system (onrealm.org), or anyone can contribute by sending mail to the office.
216 N. Main St, Belmont, NC 28012
We do not want to act in fear, but in love, and we believe that closing church activities for a time is a way to love our neighbors and not put others at risk. Please be in prayer for all those effected in this time, and all those tasked to lead.
Peace in Christ.
Family and Friends of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church,
This morning Bishop Smith issued a letter addressing covid-19 in which he recommended, among other things, that all synodical churches do not have in-person events through the month of March. After prayerfully considering the situation our council president, parish nurse, and pastor have decided to follow that advice and cancel all events until March 29th, including Sunday morning worship.
This is in no way done lightly but done with a hope to protect the members of our congregation and those they encounter, particularly those considered high risk and vulnerable, those Jesus calls us to consider.
The staff here are working to develop and implement ways to continue to nurture your spiritual life in the meantime. As of now, during the Sunday morning worship time, 10:30 am, Pastor Micah plans to post a video on the church Facebook page which will include the readings for the day, a sermon or reflection, and a prayer for the day. We are looking for a recording of our Holden Evening Prayer service to post on Wednesdays, as well as the readings that would have been a part of that worship.
During this anxious time there are some things that we encourage you to do. The first is be intentional about your own hygiene: washing hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow (what my son calls “germ jail”), refrain from touching others when possible, and keeping an arm’s length distance. Health professionals, such as the CDC, tell us that social isolation, which means staying home as much as possible, is the best way to make a difference in the spread of covid-19.
Second, in times of anxiety it is easy to turn in on ourselves and worry about our own situation, but Jesus calls us to look up and consider the needs of others. There are many people who will be deeply affected by this virus, physically, logistically, and financially. Look for ways you can be a neighbor to others like caring for children so parents can work, calling and checking on folks, particularly the elderly, and supporting organizations that support those in need. We also encourage you to continue to support the church financially during this time, as most of our costs are not contingent on activities. Members can do this online through our online giving system (onrealm.org), or anyone can contribute by sending mail to the office.
216 N. Main St, Belmont, NC 28012
We do not want to act in fear, but in love, and we believe that closing church activities for a time is a way to love our neighbors and not put others at risk. Please be in prayer for all those effected in this time, and all those tasked to lead.
Peace in Christ.
