November 24, 2020
Dear CtL friends,
Starting this Sunday, we will shift to having one in-person service at 9:00 am in the church sanctuary.
Throughout the global pandemic, we’ve needed to be flexible responding to the trends and the data and this is another one of those times.
This morning’s headlines are discouraging. Locally, the AZ Republic reports: “As Arizona continues to post higher counts of COVID-19 patients, intensive care unit beds are becoming increasingly hard to come by, especially in rural areas of the state. As of Nov. 22, data provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services showed that only 10% of the state’s intensive care unit beds were readily available.”
Nationally: U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Monday cautioned people to “be smart” with their Thanksgiving celebrations this year to help reduce the spread of the conronavirus. . . . I want the American people to know that we are at a dire point in our fight with this virus by any measure.”
As Christians we are a people of hope. We are also a people of compassion who consider it our calling and responsibility to care for the well-being of others. Importantly, we’ve seen as the incidence of Covid has increased over these recent weeks, attendance at the in-person worship services has decreased. Members are taking the risks seriously, and that of course is a good thing. Be safe. Be considerate of others. Be well.
Steps are being taken to make in-person worship as safe as we can by following guidelines for safety as set forth by the CDC. But, please know, despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee this will be 100% safe.
As we’ve said all along this marathon journey, no one is under any obligation to come just because it is available. If you feel you are at risk for any of the reasons you’ve heard and read about, please don’t come. And, we’re nearly all in a high risk category, including myself. If you are still sheltering in place and taking minimal risks, please don’t come. If you’re not sure you should, please don’t come. And most especially, if you have been exposed or are in any way symptomatic, please don’t come.
We will continue to produce a full online worship experience with liturgy and special music for the foreseeable future.
If you are planning to attend in person, please make sure you bring a mask and hand sanitizer. Everyone must wear a mask the entire time. And, a reminder there is no singing. And it is important as you arrive and leave and greet your friends, that you maintain a safe distance.
The worship team is working hard to provide an excellent online option for Christmas Eve which you can enjoy safely at home as well as a “midnight mass” on Zoom beginning at 11:30 and an in person option which will minimize the “gathering” and still offer a meaningful experience of message, music, and Holy Communion. Further information will be forthcoming.
Yours in Christ,
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