Worship Services Canceled for 2 Weeks

Good evening,

A small group of church leaders gathered with me this afternoon to discuss our church’s response to COVID-19 (commonly called coronavirus).  We have discerned that for the health and welfare of our community, we will not gather for worship, or any purpose in our building for the next two weeks. That means that there will be no meetings, events, rehearsals or gatherings of any kind for at least two weeks: no small groups, no community groups, no crafting, and Rainbow’s End will be closed. If you have anything you need to pick up from the church, please stop by sometime tomorrow, Sunday, March 15, and then please do not enter the building again until given the all clear.

While we certainly hoped this would not be necessary, this gives us an opportunity to learn new skills for communicating and connecting with one another. We will be using online resources to connect for worship and phone trees to connect person to person. Technology allows us a variety of ways to stay connected beyond the physical plant where we worship. Let’s learn and use them! This is a time to lean into our faith and creativity, and find ways to support one another, from afar. It feels contrary, but for now, one of the best ways we can love one another is by staying apart.

As we move forward into this time of uncertainty, I pray that we will be guided by facts not fear. May we be led by our faith and grounded in God’s compassion and grace. I welcome your questions (we’re trying to developed a list of frequently asked questions) and creative suggestions for ways we might stay connected, while apart. Please, feel free to reach out to our lay leaders, Carole Eichner, Paul Gannett, and Misti Hedges with questions and suggestions.

Remember this, God loves you, and so do I.  We remain, together in Christ…committed to serve.

Peace,

Rev. Heather R. Bailes Baker, Pastor