Almost, Not Yet…
Today’s Midweek Message is information over inspiration—that is: details! Although, I am inspired by these details. Excited. Nervous-but-expectant. Hopeful.
As I shared last week [please add last week’s MM to the blog and link it to the words “last week”], Church Council members have spent a lot of time praying, listening, and discussing how to return to in-person worship the safest and most welcoming ways possible. On Monday night we came to this:
- resume hybrid (in-person + online) worship as soon as is feasible for volunteers and technology;
- start with windows open for additional air circulation (wear hats and gloves!);
- maintain safety precautions, including distancing, masking, no congregational singing, and sign-in for contact tracing;
- if anyone—including worship leaders—is feeling even a little bit sniffly that morning, they worship online;
- highly encourage all to be vaccinated if they are able to be, as soon as they are able.
After some conversation with volunteers, we have determined that Sunday, November 14 will be the day we try hybrid worship again, so we’re almost there! It will likely be messy as we figure things out, but the Spirit doesn’t promise perfection, and it will be good to have more options for our gatherings.
More details: we need volunteers every week in order to make in-person worship happen. This was one of the challenges we faced last time we attempted in-person worship. So please consider being a welcomer or usher (contact Robin Williams, diaconate.fccb@gmail.com, if you’re willing to be an in-person usher/greeter; Tena Hilton, tenahilton@comcast.net, if you’re willing to welcome folk in person on Sunday mornings; Sharon Benton, sharon@fccb.net, if you’re willing to be an online greeter via Facebook).
So we’re almost there, but not quite yet. As you may have seen in the Bellingham Herald yesterday, Whatcom County “had its 12th-straight triple-digit weekend increase in COVID cases” and “St. Joseph hospital…reported a new record high for COVID-related patients it was treating during the pandemic.” Although we’re in a period higher case rates than at any other time in this pandemic, First Congregational Church is returning to some in-person offerings because we recognize that the need for connection is outweighing the risks right now. That means we’re going to do our best to remain cautious when we gather, knowing that it is part of our mission to care for one another and our broader community in the best ways possible. Christ’s compassion compels us to love in action.
Thank you for praying for your congregation throughout this time. Continue to pray, continue to hope, and continue to reach out.
In Faith,
Pastor Sharon
