Dear First Family,

After much prayer and discussion with church leaders, we have with heavy hearts decided to postpone our return to in-person worship.

As many of you know, our first Sunday back for in-person worship was scheduled for June 28th. When the decision was made to come back and worship together in the sanctuary, our city was entering Phase 2 of the “Back to Business” plan, the data related to the transmission of the COVID-19 virus looked to be trending in the right direction, and our Bishop announced June 21st would be a good Sunday for congregations to consider returning to worship. Therefore, a task force of leaders and myself began work on a plan for returning safely to in-person worship on June 28th.

As our chosen Sunday approached and conditions related to the virus changed, we became less confident in our selected date for our first service back. With heavy hearts, we have decided to postpone our return to a date to be determined.

Decisions we are all having to make in the midst of this pandemic are very difficult because there is so much unknown. I can promise you I am daily praying for clarity in how to lead our church in this time where clarity is hard to come by. Below are some of the factors that entered into our decision:

Nothing has really changed over time with the virus in terms of how widespread it is or the danger it poses to a significant portion of our society. While more and more people are choosing to live with the risks of exposure, Covid-19 is as active as it has ever been.
As people in our city have begun to attempt to return to “normal,” the number of positive tests in Shelby County has begun to return to levels we saw at the beginning of this pandemic.
While much has been learned about how to mitigate the spread of the virus in large gatherings, it is as dangerous today as it has been all along to gather in public.
While the rate of cases leading to death still remains relatively low, the financial, physical, and emotional impact on the life and health of anyone who tests positive, or even in someone in close contact with them, can be devastating. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live and act corporately and individually in such a way to positively impact people’s lives, not endanger them.

I desperately miss worshiping together and serving together and cannot wait for the day we can gather again safely. I know each of you join me in being beyond ready to return to “normal” life. Let us agree together to be people who endure and minister well in the midst of these and all trials we face each day.

Please continue to pray for myself and our leadership as we navigate these difficult days.

Grace and Peace,

Andy Rambo, Pastor