Dear Folks
We have been carefully and prayerfully pouring over guidance from headquarters and Governor Justice’s plan for reopening the state.
The Governor has publicly announced that starting on Monday, May 4, the guidance on size limit of gatherings is being increased from 5 to 25. The Governor has also publicly announced that the recommended limit of 25 on gathering size does not apply to churches (which are permitted to have more than 25), and the Governor is encouraging churches to reopen for Mother’s Day, May 10. However, he is encouraging the elderly (those at heightened risk) to take a couple more weeks at home before rejoining services in person. So, he is recommending at least late May for the elderly or those at heightened risk.
In anticipation of this re-opening, CAC’s sanctuary has been reconfigured by removing every other row of seats, thus providing for adequate distance while worshipping together.
Starting on Mother’s Day, May 10, we are expecting to have service with some saints gathered in attendance. NOTE: As of that time we will be entering into a phase of slightly relaxed quarantining rules in which those who are sick should continue to stay home, and those who are at risk (especially the elderly) are encouraged to stay home and join by way of live stream. Anyone who is (by that time) still very concerned about gathering and who is needing to avoid any risk may stay home and join by way of live stream.
When you attend, please:
- Avoid passing handheld objects around. Phones, tablets, pens, paper, cards, etc, should not be passed around. (We will continue digital delivery of bulletins. We will not be handing out printed bulletins for the time being. Eventually we aim to get back to printed bulletins.)
- Do your best to maintain a distance of about 6 feet apart while conversing with each other.
- Sanitize your hands before and after a service, and be aware of having touched things touched by others, such as doorknobs.
Face masks have been recommended by the Governor. While we are not requiring masks, we do welcome you to wear one. If you don’t feel comfortable gathering where someone else might not be wearing a mask, please continue to join by way of live stream.
I strongly urge that no one judge or hinder their fellow believers over a mask issue (or similar issue). If you attend without one, do not judge those who wear one, and if you wear one, do not judge those who don’t.
Life cannot be lived without any risk, and God designed us to take calculated risks, sometimes carefully. Unless we as a society find a right balance regarding acceptable risk of social interaction, the economic impact of prolonged isolation stands to kill or harm more people than the virus has. We are all doing our best. I pray God helps us make it through this without loss of life and without economic catastrophe. Please join us as you feel able. In the meantime, continue to join by way of live stream.
God bless you!
Sincerely,
Pastor Doug Joseph
