Framework for Pandemic Response
The last two and a half months in our life together have been hard. We have made big changes in how we do life and ministry together in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. From online worship and study groups to drive-up food collections for Crosslines, we’ve been left little choice in figuring out new ways of being the church, together. Yet, we have been figuring it out. I want you to know just how proud I am of our Trinity family as we walk this new road together.
Even as we find ourselves learning this new way of being church, we know that the need to remain physically distant from one another will change over time. With that in mind, our Session, with the guidance of our Health Advisory Team, has adopted a Framework for Pandemic Response. This framework will serve as our guide in the months to come as we navigate the changing landscape of this pandemic.
I’ve included three items with this post that I hope you will take some time to review today. The first is the framework itself. It presents four levels of response to the pandemic; we are currently operating at Level 1. The second is a summary of the framework. The third is information about our Distancing & Protection Practices. You can also find expanded information on these, and all of our pandemic response, on our COVID-19 Response page.
I want to be clear: there are some things we don’t have the answers to yet. For example, we are still developing, in conjunction with our partners at Brentwood Christian Church, our shared practices for cleaning, sanitizing, and building use. Until these practices are developed, and we are sure we can maintain them, we will not be in a position to resume activities in the church building. Additionally, there is much we don’t yet know about COVID-19, and this framework will continue to evolve as new information and guidance is available.
For many of us the question at the top of mind is, “when will we be able to worship together again in-person?” Based on everything I have seen and read over these past weeks of preparing this framework, I believe it is unlikely we will return to worship the way we did before the pandemic for the foreseeable future. To be blunt, it is possible we may not have a Sunday morning service like we did in January for many months to come. However, just because we may not have large-group worship doesn’t mean we can’t or won’t worship together.
Trinity will continue to hold worship online; engaging our congregation and beyond in the Word of God each week. We are already working on new ways to worship in smaller groups, so when the time comes and we may safely gather in smaller numbers, we are ready. In the earliest days of our faith followers of Jesus gathered in homes to hear the word and tell the good news; small group worship is the foundation of our tradition. Trinity is a creative and adaptive community; we will continue to be the church, even if it looks a little different.
I know for many of us, myself included, the uncertainty of the road ahead of us can feel daunting at times. Yet, we have been given every resource we need to flourish as a family of faith. God is God of all the roads, even and especially this one, and we each have been called to be part of this embodiment of God’s family. That gives me great hope. I’m proud of you, Trinity. Together, we will continue to thrive.
May you be at peace this day,
Pastor Chris
