Response to COVID-19

Dear Alexanderwohl church family,

This can certainly feel like an overwhelming and confusing time, as we hear constantly evolving news about the new coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as many cancellations. I wanted to email again to give you an idea of what to expect in coming weeks. Because of the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and other experts, we are canceling all church events until March 31, at which time we will reevaluate. You may assume everything is cancelled unless you are making special arrangements with others for a particular smaller meeting. The church building remains open through the office door during daytime hours.

Worship

Because of the CDC’s recommendation to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people, we will hold off on meeting in person for worship for a while. This is a difficult change to make, because our corporate worship connects us and we need each other now as much as ever.

Because of the need for social distancing, we want to find alternative ways to stay connected. We’re working hard to make services available on this website. We’ll also work at ways to distribute DVDs or printed material to those who do not have an internet connection.

While we are switching gears with recent turn of events, the book of Job seems as timely now as ever. We may be struggling to make sense of what the spread of sickness means. At the same time, our faith in Jesus gives us abundant reason to be encouraged in an uncertain time.

Sunday school and other gatherings

No church means that Sunday school classes will not be meeting either. We are working this week to identify educational resources you can use at home as well as suggestions for adult classes to stay in touch with each other or meet through video calls. Your pastors are planning to coordinate this with Sunday school teachers.

Trusted Sources

You are probably taking in a lot of information already about how to take care of yourself and what to do. Here are a few reliable places to look. Remember to stay home if you are feeling sick, and to be extra diligent about washing your hands.

Centers for Disease Control — Includes extensive information about COVID-19 in the US and around the world.

World Health Organization — Includes more information about how this virus is affecting countries around the world, such as an interactive global map.

Harvey County — Overview and local information

Western District Conference — Resource page from our church conference

Caring for each other

While pastors and deacons will work at ways to make sure that no one is forgotten, we encourage you all to take the initiative to check in by phone, text, email, or other methods with neighbors, people in your Sunday school class, or whomever God places on your heart who may be feeling alone. It takes a little creativity, but we can remain well-connected and support one another, even while seeking to abide by guidelines of social distancing in order to slow the spread of this virus.

Let’s remember that physical distance does not prevent us from praying for one another!

We know from the witness of scripture that in an uncertain world, God cares.

Isaiah 43:1-3a seems timely:

But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Blessings,

Pastor Caleb