A Pastoral Message on Coronavirus
Dear Friends in Christ,
At the heart of our Christian faith is the practice of loving our neighbors as ourselves. We believe that as the state of Oregon attempts to deal with the Coronavirus, one way for us to love our neighbors is to do all we can to limit the spread of the virus. We do not react out of fear. Instead, we choose to act with love.
With the support of our Church Council leaders, we are canceling all congregational worship services and face-to-face meetings during Lent (until April 10). We are following recommendations from our Oregon Synod Bishop, Laurie Larson Caesar, which are in keeping with the advice of many public voices, including our governor and mayor, who are calling for social distancing. We believe that in the future we will not regret acting with abundant caution -- but we could regret not acting cautiously enough.
It is disappointing to realize we will not be seeing each other face to face, but know that we will miss you and are exploring other ways to gather. Watch for further communication from First Immanuel via the enews and facebook, as well as on our church website. We pastors are preparing to make electronic gatherings available for worship and other purposes. Using Zoom, a video conferencing tool, we will be able to meet, worship and work together virtually.
As a practical matter, we do encourage you to continue financially supporting God’s work through First Immanuel. Offering envelopes can be mailed to the church office or you might consider giving electronically via the secure link on this page. Online giving is easy, secure, and uniquely suited to today’s situation.
For the time being our church office will remain open. We invite you to reach out to members who may become isolated and lonely. As a congregation, we will pray for each other and do our best to act with love toward all our neighbors.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Aaron and Pastor Melinda
Dear Friends in Christ,
At the heart of our Christian faith is the practice of loving our neighbors as ourselves. We believe that as the state of Oregon attempts to deal with the Coronavirus, one way for us to love our neighbors is to do all we can to limit the spread of the virus. We do not react out of fear. Instead, we choose to act with love.
With the support of our Church Council leaders, we are canceling all congregational worship services and face-to-face meetings during Lent (until April 10). We are following recommendations from our Oregon Synod Bishop, Laurie Larson Caesar, which are in keeping with the advice of many public voices, including our governor and mayor, who are calling for social distancing. We believe that in the future we will not regret acting with abundant caution -- but we could regret not acting cautiously enough.
It is disappointing to realize we will not be seeing each other face to face, but know that we will miss you and are exploring other ways to gather. Watch for further communication from First Immanuel via the enews and facebook, as well as on our church website. We pastors are preparing to make electronic gatherings available for worship and other purposes. Using Zoom, a video conferencing tool, we will be able to meet, worship and work together virtually.
As a practical matter, we do encourage you to continue financially supporting God’s work through First Immanuel. Offering envelopes can be mailed to the church office or you might consider giving electronically via the secure link on this page. Online giving is easy, secure, and uniquely suited to today’s situation.
For the time being our church office will remain open. We invite you to reach out to members who may become isolated and lonely. As a congregation, we will pray for each other and do our best to act with love toward all our neighbors.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Aaron and Pastor Melinda
Message from Oregon Synod Bishop Laurie Larson Cesar
Dear siblings in Christ's liberating love,
God knows there is enough anxiety in the air in this intense and polarized election season when climate change is eroding our planet and our denials, and the church we love is aging, shrinking and increasingly misunderstood. We do not need the coronavirus in the mix, but in the mix it is. Social distancing and self quarantining appear to be critical ways of dealing with the spread of the disease. As we in the Oregon Synod strive to be faithful and courageous leaders, here are a few things we know:
The World Health Organization has just declared that the COVID-19 outbreak has gone from an epidemic to a pandemic. An epidemic is something that has gone beyond human control and a pandemic is something that is both out of control and now worldwide or covering huge geography. This means we are most likely yet at the beginning of its impact.
30 people in Washington State have died. Others in New York and New Jersey have died. Thousands have been diagnosed and many others remain undiagnosed.
The elderly and those with compromised health are the most at risk.
135 colleges and universities like Smith and Stanford are sending students home to study online for the foreseeable future.
Some synods are canceling all worship services. Others are suggesting no Lenten potlucks and no peace-passing, wine or juice, or open baptismal fonts at worship.
At least one synod is on the verge of canceling its April synod assembly. We are delaying our Assembly registration (scheduled to open this week) while we monitor the situation.
The CDC appears to be indicating that the best thing we can do is to slow the inevitable progression of the disease throughout the country. If we can slow or halt its progress, hospitals will be better able to serve the reduced numbers. If not, our health system may be overwhelmed and not able to care for the sick and affected.
Remember that the spread of the virus is most often exponential. The CDC reports that Italy, for example, had 62 identified cases of COVID-19 on the 22nd of February. It had 888 cases by the 29th of February, and 4,636 by the 6th of March.
I've been praying, thinking and studying, and reluctantly as your bishop, I strongly suggest:
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you...and pray to the Lord on its behalf for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7
Whatever you decide, God bless you and keep you! I will be praying.
In Christ,
Bishop Laurie
Dear siblings in Christ's liberating love,
God knows there is enough anxiety in the air in this intense and polarized election season when climate change is eroding our planet and our denials, and the church we love is aging, shrinking and increasingly misunderstood. We do not need the coronavirus in the mix, but in the mix it is. Social distancing and self quarantining appear to be critical ways of dealing with the spread of the disease. As we in the Oregon Synod strive to be faithful and courageous leaders, here are a few things we know:
The World Health Organization has just declared that the COVID-19 outbreak has gone from an epidemic to a pandemic. An epidemic is something that has gone beyond human control and a pandemic is something that is both out of control and now worldwide or covering huge geography. This means we are most likely yet at the beginning of its impact.
30 people in Washington State have died. Others in New York and New Jersey have died. Thousands have been diagnosed and many others remain undiagnosed.
The elderly and those with compromised health are the most at risk.
135 colleges and universities like Smith and Stanford are sending students home to study online for the foreseeable future.
Some synods are canceling all worship services. Others are suggesting no Lenten potlucks and no peace-passing, wine or juice, or open baptismal fonts at worship.
At least one synod is on the verge of canceling its April synod assembly. We are delaying our Assembly registration (scheduled to open this week) while we monitor the situation.
The CDC appears to be indicating that the best thing we can do is to slow the inevitable progression of the disease throughout the country. If we can slow or halt its progress, hospitals will be better able to serve the reduced numbers. If not, our health system may be overwhelmed and not able to care for the sick and affected.
Remember that the spread of the virus is most often exponential. The CDC reports that Italy, for example, had 62 identified cases of COVID-19 on the 22nd of February. It had 888 cases by the 29th of February, and 4,636 by the 6th of March.
I've been praying, thinking and studying, and reluctantly as your bishop, I strongly suggest:
- Canceling all potlucks.
- Canceling worship services for a season.
- Communicate well. Provide clear and consistent information about the disease from trusted sources. Explain that the health and wellness of the congregation and community is your utmost concern.
- Follow up with those who are ill or will be concerned, afraid, alone, or at risk.
- Create an old-fashioned phone tree to connect with members.
- Prepare an online at-home worship service for each worship service canceled. Perhaps use video! Scan the internet for good ideas.
- If you continue with worship, skip the wine, juice and the passing of the peace with touching. Instead, substitute bows, waves or other greetings in the name of Christ. Focus on hand washing. Provide hand sanitizer in all rows as it is available.
- Encourage those who are ill to stay at home and self-quarantine.
- Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.
- There are many, many good articles and resources.
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you...and pray to the Lord on its behalf for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7
Whatever you decide, God bless you and keep you! I will be praying.
In Christ,
Bishop Laurie
