Susquehanna Charge and our response to the coronavirus outbreak: please forward
lindashifflett
Good afternoon, my Brothers and Sisters.
You are all well-loved, my Brothers and Sisters, and your well-being, both spiritually and physically, is my priority. We are in the midst of a deep challenge here and in the world, as you well know. It is being talked about on our many different kinds of screens and in our private conversations. I pray that in the midst of it all, we know that God is walking with us, knowing that God will guide us if we have the strength of heart, soul, and mind that God has given to us. I pray we are all able to be at peace.
I also pray that we are all able to be well. In order to make certain that we do all we can to ensure that end, we have to take steps in multiple areas. I have listened to the President, the Vice-President, the Governor, the Chancellor of the University of Maryland System, the Bishop, and even Tom Hanks. I have gleaned the input from our Administrative Council Chairs and our SPRC Chairs. The upshot is that we need to be doing more than only social distancing. In order to "put on the armor of God" as Paul instructs us in Ephesians, we must use the gifts God has given us: truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and readiness.
Out of an abundance of caution and with the idea that we can help to contain and/or mitigate this virus in our own communities, I am instituting the following for TWO WEEKS, from today, March 12, to Thursday, March 26. We will re-examine the issues and the status of the virus and its impact at that point. Our options may become clear before the end of this period.
1. Social distancing: continue to not shake hands, not hug and kiss each other.
2. If you are feeling sick IN ANY WAY, please stay home. Remember that this is only for two weeks right now, and that your absence during this brief period is a sign of your love for us.
3. Church services will continue at both churches. I recommend that you sit 6 feet apart in the pews. For those who will not be in the service at the church, the scripture readings, sermon and prayers will be available online on YouTube. You will have that available to you by Sunday evening each week.
4. The offering will be taken as usual, but the counters will use gloves to process the cash and checks. If you are not in the service, you are welcome to mail in your offerings to 3602 Level Village Road, HdG 21078.
5. Sunday School is cancelled at both congregations for these two weeks to limit our contact with each other.
6. Those over 80 years old should use an abundance of caution and stay away from small and large gatherings outside of your own families due to the steep increase in potentially deadly results for the elderly from this virus. I am very willing to come to you if you need anything from the church. My phone is always with me. Please don't hesitate to contact me. Again, remember that this is only for two weeks right now, and that your absence during this brief period is a sign of your love for us.
7. All committee meetings which are currently scheduled are to be taken online for those who are connected to the internet. Download an app at ZOOM so we can do 40 minute online meetings over the internet. If you are not connected to the internet, you can call your committee chair who will get the information to you from the meeting.
8. Small gatherings such as Choir, UMW and UMM (including Ladies Night Out and Men's Night Out), Bible Study, yoga, aerobics, and flute circle are cancelled during these two weeks. Wendy Walstrum reminded me that choir members have their CDs for practice for the cantata and for spiritual inspiration during these two weeks. Additionally, there will be no Special Music during these two weeks at either church to limit our proximity to one another.
9. I am calling on all who are available under the age of 65 to come and clean the churches with me, beginning today. We will wash the door handles, the doors and the pews. Call me to let me know your availability.
More information on the virus is available at the following sites:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
I am happy to weigh any suggestions you may have as we move forward. Please email me at pastor...@gmail.com, or call or text me at 410.952.2792. The implications for our congregations and our families are steep if we remain passive and do not respond with all of our time, talents, gifts and service to make a difference in our churches.
God’s love, righteousness and salvation are manifest in the cross. Because of that great act of love for us while we were sinners, we are to grow strong and rejoice, even in adversity. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans, for redeemed people, adversity and suffering sets off a chain reaction: suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because of God's love. Our social distancing may make us suffer in adversity, but it will help to produce the hope with which God has infused all of life through Jesus Christ.
God is on our side.
Be safe, be well, and may God bless you mightily.
Pastor Lynne
Grace and peace.
Rev. Lynne Humphries-RussSusquehanna Charge of the United Methodist Church
410.952.2792 Cell