Dear Members and Friends of Westminster,
With the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now encourage older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions to “stay at home as much as possible.” If you have not seen them, click here for the CDC guidelines.
We will keep our normal Sunday schedule tomorrow, but encourage everyone to do what is best for your health and the health of your household. If you are in a group susceptible to this virus, or have been traveling and possibly exposed to it, we encourage you not to attend worship in person tomorrow. If you are feeling sick in any way, please stay home. We will live-stream our 9:45 a.m. worship, so those not joining us in person can view the live stream here.
For those present at morning worship, Sunday School, rehearsals or Vespers, we ask you to refrain from shaking hands, hugging, or physically engaging during greeting and fellowship times. We will not serve communion at 11:10am. Please use hand sanitizer and/or wash your hands when in the building, so that holding hymnals, passing offering plates, touching doorknobs, etc., will be as sanitary as possible. Our custodial staff is taking extra cleaning measures around the church facilities.
As believers in a sovereign God, we don't want to be alarmist, hiding in fear; nor do we want to be naive, acting as if this cannot touch us. God has given us hearts and minds to make choices for the health and hospitality of our congregation, community and beyond. As things develop in our area, we will stay abreast of the guidelines provided by health professionals and civic leaders, and will adjust or cancel activities, if necessary. Please look to the church website, social media, and email for updates.
Please pray for the health and well-being of the entire human family, but especially those most directly affected by this outbreak, those who seek to comfort and heal, and those working hard to equip the world to respond to this new virus.
In Christ,
Don
