COVID 19 Statement
From The OLCC, P Session and Pastors.
Dear OLCC,P Family, March 15, 2020
No doubt these are unique days we find ourselves living through! Covid-19 has become part of our lives and vocabulary and will be for the near-term future. Considering that, our staff and Session have consulted about how we believe we should proceed in the days and weeks ahead.
We have made the difficult but necessary decision - based on recommendations from health, community, local religious, and government officials - to close our building as of Monday March 16, meaning all church programs, office hours, activities, classes, and corporate worship services are suspended through March 31 – with the exception that we will be offering Sunday worship via broadcast only as well as other updates through our website and Facebook page. We will make another determination during the last week of this month about whether the closure/suspension protocol needs to extend into April based on conditions at that time.
Going forward, we will communicate messages through our website and Facebook page about our plans and activities. Pastor Linda, Faith Community Nurse Emily, and Pastor Paul are limited in being able to do visitation during these times, but we will continue to be available via cell phone to respond to any specific needs (Pastor Paul = 412-445-4243; Pastor Linda = 586-549-8657; FCN Emily = 248-346-7062). Staff will work mostly from home and be present in the office only for any work that is absolutely necessary to keep basic functions stable. Decisions about other future events and activities as we move into April and beyond will be made as the situation continues to unfold.
If you or someone you know in our congregation is unable or hesitant to leave home due to the virus to do things such as purchase groceries or pick up needed medications or other basic tasks, please call one of us listed above and let us know. We are working to have a list of Deacons and others who would be willing to assist in such situations. Please take time to check on fellow church members, neighbors, and friends – especially our elderly friends – to offer needed support at this time.
As we've all come to know by now, these plans are very fluid due to the nature of the virus and its spread. But we are prayerful that the worst of this public health crisis will pass in time for us to celebrate a particularly meaningful resurrection together in time for Easter. In the meantime - these are deeply strange and trying times, and there is real danger to all of us of contracting what we know can be a deadly virus. We are all filled with concern for those we love, and hopeful for our own good health and that of our wider community, nation, and world.
As we live into these days, remember we worship a God who comes to us as the Holy Spirit, always present with us, no matter where we may be. We worship a God of healing and wholeness, who longs to meet our spiritual hunger, which never ends. That same Spirit unites our hearts in worship and in communion with one another no matter where we may be. We are each grieving the loss of various things caused by these changes and concerns. These weeks will not last forever. But, for now, we join our brothers and sisters throughout the world in responding as wisely and faithfully as we can to a crisis that affects, not only us, but our human family across the globe. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (29:11). We believe. And the Lord helps us in our times of doubt, heartache, and yearning for the wholeness which will come when Jesus completes the work of redemption in our world.
OLCC,P Session, Pastor Paul Thwaite, Pastor Linda Cochran