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Dear Church Family,
Learning to live with Covid in our midst has put us all on a learning curve of adjustments. When a new virus enters society we are all challenged with finding ways to protect ourselves. Depending on the news it appears we get conflicting stories. What to believe? Who to believe? It is often what we don't know, but project the possible worst case scenario on, that sends us into a panic. We remember the early days of AIDS - the rumors of possible transmission was wildly reported falsely. At the time AIDS = death. Now we know a lot of about the transmission of HIV and treatment. It is still serious, but often a treatable virus.
We know more about Covid, too. Not enough to be experts, but enough to take adequate precautions. We wear masks, socially distance, wash our hands, avoid crowds indoors. People ask when we are returning to live services. I've been reluctant because of the unknowns and returning means a lot of diligence of honoring new guidelines for all of us. The Board of Trustees have agreed to begin with live services again beginning Sunday, Oct 25. Temporarily our service will begin at 11AM.
Our new seating plans allows for 18 parties (individuals, couples, friends who share personal space or families) in our church at one time. We will begin by taking reservations by email at admin@unityofelcajon.org. If we fill the assigned seats and have a waiting list we will give the people on the waiting list first dibs to make reservations for the following week Sunday, Nov 1.
All of this is contingent on the restrictions given by the county or the state. And we invite you to thoroughly read the article at the top of the newsletter that addresses the guidelines we have created.
Everyone wants to return to church - we realize, however, not everyone will feel ready to do so. We honor the choices you make whether to return at this time or not. We will continue to hold the Sunday Morning Gathering via Zoom, we will continue to make the phone calls through our telephone ministry and create videos to be shown daily through our video ministry. We want to be connected to you.
We ask for your patience as we work through this transition. We ask for your grace as we return to a worship format that will be somewhat new and maybe a little wonky at first. And we ask for your understanding that whatever we create together, in this moment, is temporary. It is for this time in the life of our ministry - we know the future will allow us to hug, and sing, and share in fellowship, but for now we accept this offering of music, message and meditation with masks and social distance as a chance to worship and express our love for God and each other.
Holding the vision of celebrating Spirit together in-person soon!
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert