“What are the plans for opening up?”  That’s been the question on everyone’s mind.  Our church leaders have been talking about it for weeks now.  First, let me affirm what you’ve heard me say many times: We’re still church!  We’re worshipping, praying, studying scripture, doing mission, and taking care of  business.  And yet we desperately miss gathering together in person.  Please know I don’t take that lightly.

We’ve assembled a “Safe Gathering Task Force” to map out procedures for what it will look like as we phase back to in person gatherings.  Just this last Monday, the California Department of Public Health issued Guidelines for Places of Worship.  Our crackerjack team of problem-solvers have integrated these recommendations into the practices we have already brainstormed.  This is no small task!  Think about this list of questions before us: Shall we worship inside or outside?  What’s the capacity of our Sanctuary and other meeting rooms once proper social distancing is considered?  Are our volunteers willing to sanitize all surfaces before and after each gathering?  What’s the best way to continue to provide online worship when we begin to also worship on campus?  When will we train our ushers and greeters to guide people through our new procedures?  How can we communicate these new procedures to our congregation, so they now what to expect when they come to worship? 

Each question invites several others, but we’ve never been afraid of a little hard work.  We just ask that you continue the gracious spirit you’ve demonstrated so abundantly over these last several weeks.  We promise to be in touch with you well before we gather so you won’t miss a thing.

This pandemic has given us opportunities to learn so many lessons.  One that is most precious to me is the ways the Spirit has enabled us to continue the many essential ministries of this congregation, even under such strange circumstances.  Thanks be to God!