Response and Responsibility

March 10, 2020
Beloved:

Like everyone else, I’m following the news about the coronavirus epidemic.  Like my colleagues, I’m thinking about the appropriate ministry response and responsibility in the midst of the crisis.  Some pastors wear surgical gloves to serve communion.  South Korean churches have cancelled services altogether and are posting sermons online instead.
Reading the public health information available right now and revisiting our own mission statement,* I’ve concluded that for the time being, the UBC response plan shall be: 

1. Follow the recommended advice to contain the spread of the disease;
2. Serve the physical and spiritual needs of the sick and their caregivers with prayers, meals and other support as we are able.

To that end, here are five requests I am asking that we agree to abide by at this time:

• Do not come to church events if you are sick, if you think you might be getting sick, or if you have been sick in the last 48 hours.
• Do not come to church if your immune system is compromised by other illnesses or by medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
• While at church, please take advantage of the plentiful soap, water and hand sanitizer available at church to wash hands often and thoroughly, especially after touching high traffic surfaces like doorknobs and handrails.
• If you are sick or think you might be getting sick, please call or email the church administrator at [email protected] so we can keep track and help with meals or ministry as needed.
• Check on one another more often than usual, especially when you don’t see friends at church.  If they are sick, they may need help.  If they aren’t, they will appreciate being missed!

Things around us are changing by the day, practically by the hour!  Colleges have already begun announcing they’re closing, sending students home to finish the semester online.  Could be our own community will empty out more than a month earlier than usual. Who knows what big change will be announced tomorrow?  But in crisis or in calm, our own calling and Christian duty remain constant: to love one another as Jesus has loved us, kindly and courageously, knowing our future is secure.  We have no cause for fear, we were born for seasons such as this. I am glad to be here with you.
 
~peace & prayers,
pastor annette
 
* UBC exists to share the gospel message of the love and grace of Jesus Christ with our community and the world through worship, service, and discipleship.