A WORD FROM THE PASTOR….. For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Dear Friends in Christ,
How quickly the week’s go by! We have bid farewell to Thanksgiving and are now entering the Season of Advent as the month of December begins. In a few days we will come to the longest night/shortest day of the year, followed by our Christmas Celebrations as we welcome the Light of the World into our hearts once again. There is so much to think about and things we would normally do during this special season.
However, the reality is grim. Travel increased during the Thanksgiving Holiday and predictions are that we will soon see an increase in COVID infections across our country and in our community. I’ve been watching the Delaware and Otsego County infection numbers and they are rising. In my own family, my brother and sister-in-law and a dear family friend have each been diagnosed with COVID in the past week. My aunt recently recovered and several friends and family members are quarantined because of contact with infected persons. Clearly, this is not a time to take risks – for ourselves or for others.
I am including a letter from Bishop Bickerton for you to read. Like all of us, he would prefer to emphasize the joyful preparation and celebration of the Advent and Christmas Season, but given the realities, he has asked churches to stop Sunday in person worship and resume remote worship until at least the end of this year. As I said in last week’s Update, we have been keeping doors open in our sanctuary during worship but it is getting too cold to continue to do that much longer. Additionally, we do not have the required equipment to close our doors and assure that the COVID cloud is safely removed. I am concerned that someone, including me, might be asymptomatic and carry infection into our worship. How terrible it would feel for everyone if that were the case! So, I have arranged with the technology team and Pat Nabinger to pre-record our weekly and special services. We will be posting them for you each week and you can view them remotely at any time that is convenient for you. Thanks to Deb Kearney, we also now have the systems we need to prepare CD’s of our worship services and will send them to the few members/supporters who don’t have internet access. We will continue to work on improving the sound for clearer recording and easier listening and hope to have a better system in place very soon.
In the meantime, our church office will be operating as usual. I will continue to come in weekly and will reach out to members in the ways I can during the time. We will continue to hold meetings remotely, the Food Pantry will remain open and so will the Playschool – unless DA is closed. The bylaws state the Playschool will close if the school is closed. The Bible Study on Revelation scheduled to start in January will be held as planned – by remote access – and our Annual Meeting, scheduled for January 10, 2021 will move forward, as well.
Friends, we will get through this. In fact, I think we will find hidden blessings during this time – things we have missed or overlooked or didn’t recognize in other, busier years. I pray that you are each safe and well. I pray that Advent will bring the quiet blessings of the heart to each of you and your loved ones. I love you – and I need you to survive.
Advent Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Betsy 
Pastor Ott is presently at half-time hours which means she will be in the church for Sunday worship and in the office on average two times a week, usually on days when there are meetings. Friday is usually sermon preparation day, at home.
Pastor’s Office hours this week: Tuesday 12/1 and Thursday 12/3
Next week’s hours: Monday 12/7 and Wednesday 12/9
