from the Pastor’s Pen Coronavirus and Future Building Return Updates 8/14/21

Grace and peace family,

I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As always, I pray that this note finds you well. It certainly has been far longer than any of us had ever anticipated that we have been out of physical worship. A month or so ago, we were making plans for how and when we would be able to return to worship regardless of our vaccination status. I had hoped that this letter would be an opportunity to share specific plans to open the building for everyone to worship in the building. Because, however, of the Delta variant’s high transmission rate and breakthrough infections we must move more slowly.  

SLOW RETURN TO THE BUILDING

Current Phase. In the current phase, we have allowed our first wave of ministry leaders to participate in worship in the building, but only with: (1) masks and (2) after showing or providing vaccination records to the office during the week.  For the past two Sundays, a small group of leaders (some deacons, some deaconesses, and some associate ministers) with verified vaccinations have been in our physical space.  Masks have been required.

Next Phase (in a few weeks). In preparing for the next phase in the coming weeks, we are doing a whole building cleaning and we also need to determine (1) how many members are vaccinated and (2) how many of you would like to return sooner than later.  In preparing for the next phase, we had hoped not to have a vaccine requirement, but the high infection rate of the Delta variant makes that an unacceptable risk. Several weeks from now, when we enter the next phase, everyone who comes to worship will have to be:

1. vaccinated, and 
2. masked 

We are going to do a survey to get a good idea on our numbers. I am also aware that some members will not be ready to return until the pandemic is under control which may not occur for another year. That is understandable

Survey. To get a good idea of our numbers, we include a short, anonymous survey (here’s the link for those who will do it electronically (https://forms.gle/KWrd7bNi5V6UPNSe6) Please fill out the survey and return it by Tuesday to help us determine what percentage of our congregation is vaccinated and wants to return.

AUDIOVISUAL AND TECHNOLOGY

In addition to watching or listening on the Zoom Line or the Facebook Page, you can now watch on Youtube:

• Zoom line (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97023782283) or 
• Facebook Page: (https://www.facebook.com/progressivebaptist/).
• Youtube Page: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfj8lcNGjPEbwvQwWTB2xGg).  

Youtube should be helpful for people who can’t get on Zoom and who don’t want to get on Facebook.

Stay tuned for more updates!

In service and love,

Pastor

Please let me know if you have any questions.