Greetings! Time for a weekly update!
We are continuing in our efforts to do no harm, to do good, and to stay in love with God. To do no harm, we must make sure that we do what we can for social distancing to help prevent the spread of the current Coronavirus. To do good, we must offer support and compassion to one another in this difficult time. And to stay in love with God, we remember to pray to God and to worship. Even if that means we worship from home. I thank all of you for your patience as we navigate this difficult time.
We will not be meeting again for certain until June. I will be keeping you as up to date as I can, but right now the restrictions are set because they are working. The state is still seeing new cases, and sadly, new deaths. However, we are seeing fewer cases than if we were just doing things “business as usual” so we need to continue. I know that it can be very frustrating, but I also need you to believe me that it is working. In the coming weeks I will be getting ahold of Church Council chairs to figure out the best way to meet virtually. I will also be figuring out a way to meet with PPRC to discuss our situation as well. Thank you for understanding and I will continue to provide online and in print worship resources. If there is anything else you need form me, please let me know! To be clear, we are not to hold any in person or drive up services until at least June. This is by both order of the state and order of the bishop. We are strong, and we will get through.
Annual Conference has been rescheduled Friday August 14th and Saturday August 15th. I will not be able to attend because of school being in session at that time.
I am still looking for pictures and music to share in services. We will have at the least two more weeks of online services, so anything you’d like to share is always welcome.
Please let me know of any updates or anyone that is in need of special consideration. I have been having to adapt my schedule to make room for the extra effort involved in making the online worship experience possible and with adapting my schedule to include leading lessons for the kids.
As we continue in the current stay at home order, we are also facing economic problems. Legislation has been passed that will offer economic relief for some. However, we must be prepared as a church to support each other and support those in need. This may have a longer lasting impact than the virus and I urge everyone to be in prayer. Also, be in contact with each other. Please check in on people and let us remain a close-knit community, even when we are practicing safe social distancing. Also, please be aware of scams involving door to door solicitation and also over the phone calls about bank information. The IRS will not call you. Medical professionals will not come to your door. Please be safe.
We do have guidance for a live communion service, but it would need to be done in a live video feed. If anyone is interested in helping put this together, please let me know. I am also looking at if anyone is interested in doing any live activities instead of prerecorded.
I will be continuing to have our worship services online and in print! It is on YouTube and a link can be found on my website as listed below. I am also posting the information on the church Facebook page. If there is anything you would like to contribute, let me know! There will also be printed materials available at the churches to pick up. Please feel free to contact me for more information. If anyone is interested in doing music for any upcoming service, please let me know. There are many options for doing this. I can also share readings or any other video that you’d like to make part of the service. Participation is welcome!
Also, in this time we are still working to keep the bills paid, our missions supported, our apportionments met, and our outreach working. As such, we do need your continued financial support as part of the church. Offerings may be sent to your local treasurer or to the PO Box listed below. I can also arrange to pick them up if I am delivering anything to you. I am personally grateful for all your continued support in this difficult time. I cannot stress enough that the church is still active and we are still together.
If anyone is interested in online groups or interested in how to form one, I am available to help. There are free tools available to be able to still meet online for Sunday School or other meetings.
Please see the CDC website for information on the Coronavirus. If you do go out, please follow all distancing guidelines, and if you can, cover your face. Please let others know, and together we will all see this through safely. This is a very real and very serious pandemic. Please do not share false information about it. It only works to undermine the people doing the dangerous work of trying to keep us all safe. If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them or direct you to a source that can.
Please stay safe. You are all in my prayers. I will keep you updated as best I can. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your Church Council Chair or myself.
Rev. Cameron D St.Michael
(316)530-3182 (call or text)
PO Box 54, Charleston IL 61920