Dear Friends,
I write this on June 16th, the day after the big announcement to “re-open” California. I wish it was as easy as opening the doors and going back to “normal.” As much as you want to be in the pews with no masks, no social distancing, a full choir, singing in the pews, communion, in person classes, fellowship with food in the Social Hall and all the hugs we can squeeze in, we are still not there yet and my heart continues to break over the rules we need to follow.
I acknowledge that what you read and hear in the news says no masks or social distancing if you are fully vaccinated and that is reason to rejoice. At the same time, as church leaders we are being asked to put into place “best practices” that care for everyone. In such we are encouraged to still wear masks in worship and practice social distancing, knowing that we will not all be vaccinated, especially if we are desiring to sing (which I know so many are eager to do). These practices will not be permanent and will be a practice of the past soon enough.
We are also being told that an RSVP for worship will no longer be required by the rules, but we will need to have a full record of who is in worship each week, in case someone who attended tests positive for Covid after attending. With this, we are still asking for an online RSVP to help us know who is coming, how many people are coming, and to be our official record of who has attended. The RSVP will also help us know if a service will be full before everyone who wishes to come RSVP’s, so that we will not have to turn people away at the door.
Fellowship time is no longer forbidden outside, but is highly recommended to be outdoors, with masks and without refreshments. With this, I suggest that our beautiful park and all its wonderful shade be used as a safe place for fellowship between and after services.
As of now, I plan to propose to Church Council in July that we make plans to reopening the church for meetings, Sunday school, Bible study and small group activities in August. We would need to have best practices in place, but bringing the people of God back into all the buildings of the church would be joyous and wonderful, even with masks and social distancing. More information to come in the August El Portal.
My love and prayers to you all and I can’t wait to see you back in church.
Blessings, Pastor Stacy