Mid-week Reminder Message for April 22, 2020
A big thank you to all who have continued to send your offerings to the church, and to those who have been able to go above and beyond their usual giving to help the church at this time. Because of your continued giving, even after 5 weeks without in-person worship we are only 25% behind in giving compared to last year. If you haven't already done so, you can set up auto pay giving through the church office by completing the attached form. Or you can arrange for Bill Pay through your bank and they will send a check by mail to the church each month.
We also understand if you are unable to give at this time because you have been laid off or been cut back in your work hours. Please know that we are here for you. If there is anything the church can do for you, please do not hesitate to call the church office at 712-482-5530, or Pastor Carolyn at 319-559-0678.
The church office will continue to be closed through the end of April. We will still be getting the mail and checking the church answering machine. If you need to get in touch with Pastor Carolyn right away, please call her at 319-559-0678.
You are invited to participate in the weekly Prayer and Share Zoom meeting. The invitation is below. if you have a computer or a smart phone with the Zoom app, you can simply click the link below to be taken to the meeting. If you do not have a computer or smart phone, you can join the meeting by calling the number below on your home phone or cell phone and entering the meeting ID number. Hope to see you there!
Pastor Carolyn is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Prayer and share
Time: April 24th 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Fri, until May 1, 2020, 2 occurrence(s)
Apr 24, 2020 06:00 PM
May 1, 2020 06:00 PM
Weekly: https://zoom.us/meeting/u5IsfuqpqDwp_4j7X9GqhCZqvN51ZgoR-w/ics?icsToken=98tyKu-urzIpG9KSs1yCe7UvA539b9_2kk4aoPRlxTj0CwNpcxXYY7N4Nb1NXc-B
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/661931673 Meeting ID: 661 931 673
or
Dial +1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 661 931 673
A big thank you to all who have continued to send your offerings to the church, and to those who have been able to go above and beyond their usual giving to help the church at this time. Because of your continued giving, even after 5 weeks without in-person worship we are only 25% behind in giving compared to last year. If you haven't already done so, you can set up auto pay giving through the church office by completing the attached form. Or you can arrange for Bill Pay through your bank and they will send a check by mail to the church each month.
We also understand if you are unable to give at this time because you have been laid off or been cut back in your work hours. Please know that we are here for you. If there is anything the church can do for you, please do not hesitate to call the church office at 712-482-5530, or Pastor Carolyn at 319-559-0678.
The church office will continue to be closed through the end of April. We will still be getting the mail and checking the church answering machine. If you need to get in touch with Pastor Carolyn right away, please call her at 319-559-0678.
You are invited to participate in the weekly Prayer and Share Zoom meeting. The invitation is below. if you have a computer or a smart phone with the Zoom app, you can simply click the link below to be taken to the meeting. If you do not have a computer or smart phone, you can join the meeting by calling the number below on your home phone or cell phone and entering the meeting ID number. Hope to see you there!
Pastor Carolyn is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Prayer and share
Time: April 24th 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Fri, until May 1, 2020, 2 occurrence(s)
Apr 24, 2020 06:00 PM
May 1, 2020 06:00 PM
Weekly: https://zoom.us/meeting/u5IsfuqpqDwp_4j7X9GqhCZqvN51ZgoR-w/ics?icsToken=98tyKu-urzIpG9KSs1yCe7UvA539b9_2kk4aoPRlxTj0CwNpcxXYY7N4Nb1NXc-B
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/661931673 Meeting ID: 661 931 673
or
Dial +1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 661 931 673
Dear Friends in Christ,
On Monday, the Administrative Council of Oakland UMC meet via Zoom to, among other things, begin planning for the time when we would once again be able to open our sanctuary for in-person worship after this time of necessary quarantining to slow the spread of Covid19.
At this time, we do not know when we will be able to resume in-person worship. Governor Reynold’s prohibition on gatherings larger than 10 currently extends through the end of April. But because of the rapidly changing nature of the Covid19 situation in Iowa and in our nation, that prohibition could be extended into May. But no matter when we are able to return to worshipping in our sanctuary, we want to be able to do so as safely as possible for everyone.
When in-person worship resumes, we will continue to maintain safe social-distancing and hygiene practices to as much as possible prevent potential virus spread. Though we cannot guarantee 100% safety for those who attend worship, we want to do everything we can to minimize the risk of virus transmission, therefore:
I know that these precautions may seem somewhat cold and impersonal, but please understand that they are necessary for now to maintain as safe a worship environment as possible during this time of Covid19. This virus will not be around forever, and it is my sincere hope that in time we will be able to ease some or all of these restrictions.
Thank you for your understanding.
Blessings,
Pastor Carolyn
On Monday, the Administrative Council of Oakland UMC meet via Zoom to, among other things, begin planning for the time when we would once again be able to open our sanctuary for in-person worship after this time of necessary quarantining to slow the spread of Covid19.
At this time, we do not know when we will be able to resume in-person worship. Governor Reynold’s prohibition on gatherings larger than 10 currently extends through the end of April. But because of the rapidly changing nature of the Covid19 situation in Iowa and in our nation, that prohibition could be extended into May. But no matter when we are able to return to worshipping in our sanctuary, we want to be able to do so as safely as possible for everyone.
When in-person worship resumes, we will continue to maintain safe social-distancing and hygiene practices to as much as possible prevent potential virus spread. Though we cannot guarantee 100% safety for those who attend worship, we want to do everything we can to minimize the risk of virus transmission, therefore:
- The church building will be open for Sunday worship and funeral/memorial services only. Sunday school is suspended until next fall. For now, meetings and other study groups will continue to be held online instead of in person.
- Hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes will be available as you enter and exit the sanctuary.
- Face masks will also be available for those who wish to use one.
- Frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized before and after worship.
- During worship, seating will be no closer than every other row.
- Instead of passing the offering plate during the service, the offering plates will be placed at the entrance to the sanctuary so that worshippers can deposit their offering before or after worship.
- On Communion Sundays, self-contained, pre-packaged cups containing grape juice and a Communion wafer will be used in place of a common loaf and cup. They will be available on the table outside the sanctuary for each person to pick up before worship.
- Because safe social-distancing is not possible when gathering in the space outside the sanctuary, and because sharing food with people outside one’s immediate household is not recommended at this time, for now we are suspending Koinonia fellowship time following worship.
- Even though we know that after being apart for so long, you will be glad to see each other, we ask that for the protection of yourself and others, you refrain from handshakes or hugs at this time.
- For the protection of others, we ask that you please refrain from attending worship if you or someone in your household is sick, until you or they are fully recovered.
- If, because of age and/or medical condition, you are in a higher risk group for contracting a more serious case of Covid19 if you are exposed to the virus, we ask that for your personal safety you consider staying at home and continuing to worship with us online instead of worshipping in person.
I know that these precautions may seem somewhat cold and impersonal, but please understand that they are necessary for now to maintain as safe a worship environment as possible during this time of Covid19. This virus will not be around forever, and it is my sincere hope that in time we will be able to ease some or all of these restrictions.
Thank you for your understanding.
Blessings,
Pastor Carolyn
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