Dear First Pres,
As promised on Sunday, I wanted to give you an update on our path to reopening. Let me remind you of where we’ve been. In May we created 5 Levels of operation as a playbook for our ministries. At the beginning of June we moved into Level 2, which allows for small groups to gather in-person with the appropriate safety protocols. A few weeks later we launched a Reopening Committee to guide us in this process. This team is meeting every week to determine the data points for “leveling up” our ministries and what is needed to comply with all the safety protocols. Currently, we are still operating at Level 2.
We are all eager to be together, but we want to make sure we do so in a way that promotes the health and well-being of our congregation and community. God has called us to love one another, to love our neighbors, and to care for the vulnerable. He has called us to seek and demonstrate His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. And He has called us to be about His work of making disciples. So, as we navigate the changing tides of this pandemic, we will continue to keep these values central.
That’s why we want to do our part in slowing the spread of this virus. Getting past this pandemic as quickly as possible is in everyone’s best interest. I really encourage you to do the simple things you can do to help: wear a mask, practice physical distance, regularly wash your hands, and pray. All of us are tired of living this way (except the praying part), but it is the best way for us to protect ourselves and our community.
According to the Harvard Global Health Institute, our risk in Fresno County is still high. They’re tracking the seven day average of new cases per 100,000 people. Our current average is 27.4. According to their assessments, anything above 25 is a “red” (their highest) risk level.
This is one of the main data points that the Reopening Committee is watching. We want to see the risk level go down before we level up our ministries. Thus, sadly, we don’t expect to move to Level 4 (in-person worship) in July. August seems optimistic. September seems to be a more measured expectation. However, we are considering how to safely move into Level 3 as soon as possible.
I hope you’ve heard me say again and again how much I long for us to resume worshipping together as a large group. I miss our large gatherings so much. But let’s not let that longing get in the way of what God can do right now. There are wonderful opportunities for ministry and discipleship in Level 2. And our world is in desperate need of the good news of Jesus. We’re not closed, we’re redeployed.
So, may the Lord continue to fill us with His hope and peace so that we may persevere in His work. May He make our small group gatherings extraordinarily fruitful for His Kingdom. May He grow us deep and wide in the midst of this pandemic, just like He’s done again and again for the last 2000 years when the Church has been pressed, perplexed, or persecuted (see 2 Cor. 4:7-10). And may His name be glorified, His Kingdom come, and His will be done here as it is in heaven.
Blessings,
Jeremy
P.S. If you haven’t joined a Summer Prayer Group, please jump in. Available groups are listed HERE.
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