A Letter on Church Cancelation Tomorrow

Mission Friends, 

Our Parking Lot service tomorrow, October 18th, has been cancelled for two reasons:

First, though our indoor COVID Protocols and Procedures are still in process by the LT, one factor which we will always consider is local and state infection rates. Unfortunately, Friday, October 16th, represented the highest number of Positive COVID Cases since the beginning of the Pandemic. Furthermore, both the rolling 7-day total and the infection positivity rates are at critical levels as recognized by not only the State of Illinois but also the CDC and World Health Organization. While meeting outdoors poses significantly less risk of transmission, the risk is not zero and, with cases as high as they have ever been, we continue to consider the health and safety of our parishioners, and God's priority that we protect the most vulnerable members of our community, above all else. We, the LT and the Pastors, have and will continue to dedicate time and effort in evaluating how and when we feel it is safe to commence in building activities.  

Second, tomorrow's weather forecast, cold with significant chance of rain, is not ideal for outdoor worship.  

Per usual, we invite you to worship together on Facebook and YouTube Live at 10a as we continue 2 Thessalonians. Also remember that every Sunday, we send out our "Hope at Home" email with links to the service and children's programming. Please let us know if you have any difficulty accessing any of our online content.

We appreciate that all of this comes on the heels of what was possibly our most successful in person service, last weekend, since the beginning of the Pandemic. Over 30 people (including new folks and members who are recently coming out of COVID Infections) gathered safely and were treated to an amazing sermon from Pastor Phil and awesome music from Erik. We recognize, therefore, how disheartening this email may be to many of you. All we can say is that we are and will continue to be the church and community that we know we can be:

A theologically and ideologically diverse intergenerational community of believers seeking Christ and Christ's priorities for the world. 

We, the leaders you have chosen, continue to strive to serve you and guide the church through the power of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for us and our complex and hurting world in the midst of this difficult time we find ourselves in. 

Grace and Peace,

Your Pastors and Leadership Team Chair,