It’s supposed to be a happy and exciting time when school starts after the summer break. This year is different, though. The lack of a COVID vaccine for children and the spread of the Delta variant has parents, teachers, and school administrators worried.
Many schools and school districts have taken appropriate steps to protect students and staff, but some struggle with putting best public health measures into practice.
At this point, we are not able to adequately assess the impact of school openings on the spread of the virus, and many parents have decided to limit their children’s potential exposure by cutting back on non-school, indoor activities. After conversations among church staff, with the elders as well as with Administrative Council leadership, we have determined to postpone the start of Sunday morning Faith Formation programming. We will use the weeks between now and Labor Day (September 6) to monitor the pandemic situation in our community; we will reassess our decision after that date.
This means that we will not have our Sunday School kick-off this Sunday at 9:00am; however, beginning this Sunday, Pastor Allison will offer activities and conversation with children (grades K-5) between 9 and 10am.
We encourage you, as individuals and as families, to develop your personal hybrid church schedule. We will continue to gather in person for worship and some meetings (masked and maintaining social distancing) and we will also continue to livestream our services. You know what is best for yourself and your loved ones, and we wholeheartedly support you in your decision to attend or not attend or occasionally attend services in person. We’re together in this, and we trust that God’s loyal love will continue to sustain us.