Greetings everyone,
Your session has been actively monitoring updates by the State of California and the city of Anaheim with regards to whether we are permitted to meet for public worship. Earlier this morning, the State of California through the governor’s office has issued the following statement: State public health experts announce that gatherings with 250 people or more should be rescheduled or canceled. Smaller gatherings can proceed if organizers implement 6 feet of social distancing.
We are looking to take appropriate precautions out of love for one another and also to continue encouraging one another to put our hope and trust in Christ throughout this trial, as we do in any trial.
As we consider our identity as Christians, corporate worship is a central priority. But we also want to be wise in our gathering and loving towards our neighbors as we adhere to policies by our state and federal governing authorities.
Therefore:
At the moment, we are still planning to gather for Sunday worship 3/15/2020. However, we will also live stream the entire service through YouTube live to give the option for people to stay home. As the epidemic escalates, here are the session’s recommendations:
1) For this Sunday, if anyone is sick or doesn't feel safe coming to church, please stay home without feeling any guilt. We particularly recommend the elderly in our congregation to stay home. Yes, we all trust in our sovereign Lord, who is loving, patient, and caring. He is our ultimate refuge in times of need. So please, as you lift up your petitions up to the Lord, do that which is safe for your family and safe for those around you.
2) We will not gather for Sunday worship on 3/22 and 3/29 and instead will only live-stream services through YouTube live. The session will reevaluate the situation according to the CDC guidelines for the 4/5/2020 worship service.
3) Beginning this Sunday we will suspend our new Sunday School curriculum and Community Group meetings, as well as any other mid-week events (such as the Systematics Class and Youth Friday night meetings).
4) Since our Sunday School and Community Group curriculum are the basis for our daily Bible readings, we will prepare a new daily Bible reading/devotional for you.
5) There will be no Sunday refreshments for 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 and we will reevaluate for 4/5.
We defer to the CDC and other appropriate health agencies to provide you with the best, up-to-date information regarding the breakout and best practices for your health. If anyone would like to offer any suggestions to the session, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us. If anyone is in need of immediate diaconal ministry, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the session or our deacons.
Let us remember that Christian neighboring must look less like fearful self-preservation and more like servant-hood, especially towards those in need. As you wash your hands, remember we also wash feet. If we are no longer able to corporately and publicly gather, both the session and diaconate will be contacting you on a weekly basis to make sure your spiritual and physical needs are still being met. We encourage all of you to keep in contact with one another via electronically or through the phone.
In the bowels of Christ’s affection,
Your Session