COVID Update from Robert
Members and Friends of TCPC,
At the outset of my sabbatical, I distinctly remember thinking COVID, at least in its severity at the time, will surely have passed when I return. Well here we are two weeks into my return and alas…COVID’s doing what COVID does.
As most are probably aware, the Delta variant is causing an alarming rise of cases once again. I have no medical expertise, but physicians both within and outside our congregation have advised me that what is before us in the coming weeks is going to be as serious, if not more, than previous surges. They tell me local hospitals are running out of beds and therapeutic medications, children and otherwise healthy young adults are being infected, and “breakthrough” cases of vaccinated individuals are not uncommon; simply put, this is serious and is getting more serious by the day.
In light of this, your session called an emergency meeting to discuss the impact upon our congregational life. That meeting was a difficult one, as elders with differing opinions tried to navigate a complex situation with seemingly no good solution available. But guided by the Lord’s Spirit and the principle of plurality in unity, we believe the outcome is a balanced judgement that considers the undoubtedly divergent opinions within our congregation.
Governor Beshear’s latest mask mandate is limited to schools. Currently the recommendation for all other contexts is to strongly encourage masking and social distancing. Your session has decided to require nothing more or less than these recommendations. We are not going to require masks or social distancing within worship, but we strongly encourage both. To be clear, that is not an empty request. While not requiring, we are asking, in the name of neighbor love, to please make use of both masks and distance. To make distancing more plausible, we are again opening overflow spaces in the Lower Level and Fellowship Hall. Likewise, do not feel ashamed or condemned for making use of our online live-stream until we are on the other side of this surge.
Regarding all other ministry activities of the church, again we are following the state recommendations, which is to maximize usage of outdoor space. Our policy is simple: ministries and events must be moved outdoors or canceled. Meaning, corporate worship is the only activity taking place inside. Individual ministries will be communicating their respective plans, but this does mean that nursery and Sunday School are temporarily canceled.
Barring an emergency situation, all of these policy changes are in effect until the September Session meeting (September 28) at which point the elders will reevaluate. The good news is that medical experts are expecting a 4-6 week surge followed by a rapid decline, much like the United Kingdom’s experience with the Delta variant.
I know this is as disappointing to you as it is to me. I also know these decisions tend to evoke a myriad of opinions, fervent for some. I will reserve my pastoral thoughts for Sunday’s sermon, but for now, I want to encourage all of us to prioritize patience, humility, and above all else, love.
The Lord is good. All the time.
Robert