Dear Friends and Christ Jesus,
I greet you in the glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Our Savior – the healer of our brokenness and the Prince of Peace!
What a time this is to be alive. Every day brings new news and greater changes and challenges for us to adjust to. It is a time of tremendous uncertainty and also of tremendous opportunity as we keep the faith and witness to the world that we are confident that God will lead us through.
One huge part of faith witnessing is “Staying Calm and Carrying On” which is what we are doing at United Ministry. We have steadily been carrying on with the work and ministries of the church. Worship, meetings, staff projects, building repairs and improvements have all continued even during this challenging time. While the focus has been on being ready for our return to church, another purpose has been to witness to our faith and demonstrate our confidence in God’s loving plans for us all. I truly do believe there is a future and I do believe that, though things are difficult now, the future will be bright and filled with joy, hope, love and peace!
That’s why we are continuing to prepare for the return to worship. You have probably heard that this part of New York State is now in Phase III of reopening. This means that some, previously closed businesses, can resume operations. Food service restrictions have been lifted, slightly, and restaurants can begin to open with social distancing and careful food handling. The restrictions on church attendance now allow us to meet in groups of 25 people who wear masks and remain 6-9 feet apart. We can also begin to prepare to return to our worship spaces at 25% of the maximum occupancy. Our sanctuary will hold 220 which means 25% is 55 people. Our usual Sunday attendance is about 65 people (more or less) which is over the 25% occupancy figure. So, since we must have our written protocols in place and approved before we can reopen, I’m hopeful that by the time New York enters Phase IV, the number allowed in the sanctuary will be enough larger to allow us to have everyone who wants to return, attend our worship services. We are still in the process of working out the details but you will be hearing more – soon! One thing we need to know is if you intend to return to church on a regular basis once we reopen. Watch for a survey in the next week or two!
In the meantime, continue to pray. Pray at 8 am and 8 pm and whenever the thought to pray enters your mind. Pray for your church and the congregation and leaders, for the community, for leaders in every nation and for the world. We are in a time of strife and epic change. We need prayer to help us and support us and keep us strong in the faith as we navigate the challenges we are facing. I do believe God is at work and that when we come through this time, we will live in a world where the Prince of Peace is closer than perhaps ever before. This is my hope and my prayer!
For now, keep the faith. Let peace abide in your hearts and lives. Know that I love you and need you to survive.
Peace,
Betsy
