Urgent COVID-19 Update - February 2022

Updated CDC Guidelines - December 2021

Monday, Feb. 21, 2022

Greetings NaperCov!             

We are in the midst of those long days of February when winter is getting old and spring is not quite yet on the horizon; however, we were encouraged by the Scripture John Wenrich shared in the recent message from the ECC, prior to his conversation with Dominique Gilliard (LMDJ) about the importance of black history month. John pointed us to Romans 15:13 which reads, “May the God of hope fill you with all the joys and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  There are many words to cling to in this Scripture…joy, peace, hope, trust…but most of all the concept of being FILLED to the point of OVERFLOWING by our maker.  May we continue to rejoice in this gift!

We have a few updates we’d like to share with our church family:

·         Recent happenings

·         Upcoming events

·         New Covid protocols

Recent Happenings and Upcoming Events

            We were encouraged to “see” so many of you at our January 23rd congregational meeting to listen and give your input into the life of our church.  This month, Pastor Kelly hosted an open play opportunity for our little ones and Pastor Josiah teamed up with the youth group at Living Water Evangelical Church to celebrate the Lunar New Year.  This past Wednesday, our outreach ministry team hosted a conversation with Eleanor Good, daughter of fellow congregant David Good, who has been working with Wycliffe Bible Translators since 2021, currently focusing on preparing to work with the Global Sign Languages Team.  Pastor X also hosted the first of our Courageous Conversations centered around the cultural conduit of “family.”  It was a fun evening as we shared various experiences within our own family structures and listened to learn about the experiences of others.  That same evening, Pastor Kelly gathered elementary schoolers for “Courageous Kids”- an exploration of “the least of these” in Matthew 25.  Courageous Conversations will continue on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, with adults centered on friendship and the kids discussing God’s heart for the hungry.  Please keep your eyes open for details about this extended evening, and we hope you will be able to join us as we get to know one another better.

New Covid protocols

            Leadership has continued to monitor and discuss the Covid statistics and regulations, and we are happy to share with you our next step as we ease into fewer restrictions.  For now, we are continuing to hold both an 8:30 and 10:30 service to allow for increased social distancing and will be continuing to ask you to sit in the pews marked with yellow tape for the near future.  Beginning on Sunday, March 6th, we will continue to require masks at our 8:30 service, while at the 10:30 service, masks will be encouraged but not required. (We will continue to require masks in our nursery and preschool rooms as long as children under age 5 are unable to get vaccinated).  These options should allow for those with a variety of needs/desires to be able to attend church in the way that feels most comfortable for them.  We know that each of us hold different points of view in relation to this pandemic and the response to it, but we kindly ask that you continue to be respectful of those in our congregation who may have stories different than your own.  

May your week be overflowing with His spirit!

Your Executive Board,
Susan Casey, Chair
Larry Anderson, Vice-Chair
Melissa New, Secretary
Debra Streich, MGD Stewardship and Finance
Leslie X Sanders, Lead Pastor