April 21 2020
Dear Beloved in Christ, Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
By the time you read this update, it will have been over a month since we gathered in person for worship and other church-sponsored activities. This month has been filled with rapidly changing information, which has affected our daily lives as we adjust to the "new normal."
When the Augsburg council last met in March, we made the decision to suspend all church activities until Sunday, April 19. Since then, there have been two stay-at-home orders enacted by Governor DeWine and Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton, which currently extend through Friday, May 1.
On Sunday, April 19, the council voted to continue to suspend all church services and activities until Governor DeWine and Bishop Daniel Beaudoin advise that it is safe to return for small and large groups. We have not set an end date for the suspension, because we don't know what it will look like to resume activities at this time.
What this decision means is that Augsburg will continue to function as we has for the past month, with one change. Feed Your Neighbor has also suspended service as they no longer had the volunteers to assist with food distribution, and it was becoming difficult to keep both volunteers and clients safe. In addition, the Community Resource Fair has been postponed until the fall, so that we figure out how to proceed safely for both agencies and community members.
I have heard this situation compared to a light switch. When places began to close, it was like a switch was simply turned off. For a time, many of us - myself included - assumed that once we were free of the biggest danger, we would simply turn that switch back on. As time as progressed, though, we have realized it will be more like a dimmer switch - slowly turning from "off" to "on," and potentially even going back if necessary, until we resume our lives as completely as possible.
The good news is there will be an end to this pandemic. There will come a time when we can gather together safely, to worship and study, to share in fellowship and service to others. The one difference may be how we do those things. The council is already considering what might need to change in order to resume in-person activities.
So what can you do in the meantime?
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord's face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And may the Lord upon you with favor, and give you peace. Amen.
Pastor Kelley
Dear Beloved in Christ, Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
By the time you read this update, it will have been over a month since we gathered in person for worship and other church-sponsored activities. This month has been filled with rapidly changing information, which has affected our daily lives as we adjust to the "new normal."
When the Augsburg council last met in March, we made the decision to suspend all church activities until Sunday, April 19. Since then, there have been two stay-at-home orders enacted by Governor DeWine and Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton, which currently extend through Friday, May 1.
On Sunday, April 19, the council voted to continue to suspend all church services and activities until Governor DeWine and Bishop Daniel Beaudoin advise that it is safe to return for small and large groups. We have not set an end date for the suspension, because we don't know what it will look like to resume activities at this time.
What this decision means is that Augsburg will continue to function as we has for the past month, with one change. Feed Your Neighbor has also suspended service as they no longer had the volunteers to assist with food distribution, and it was becoming difficult to keep both volunteers and clients safe. In addition, the Community Resource Fair has been postponed until the fall, so that we figure out how to proceed safely for both agencies and community members.
I have heard this situation compared to a light switch. When places began to close, it was like a switch was simply turned off. For a time, many of us - myself included - assumed that once we were free of the biggest danger, we would simply turn that switch back on. As time as progressed, though, we have realized it will be more like a dimmer switch - slowly turning from "off" to "on," and potentially even going back if necessary, until we resume our lives as completely as possible.
The good news is there will be an end to this pandemic. There will come a time when we can gather together safely, to worship and study, to share in fellowship and service to others. The one difference may be how we do those things. The council is already considering what might need to change in order to resume in-person activities.
So what can you do in the meantime?
- Pray: for the staff and council of Augsburg; for our local, state, and federal leaders as they make decisions to benefit the safety of all; for medical professionals and those who help support them, as well as their families; for postal workers and delivery drivers; for restaurant workers and grocery store workers; for those who have lost their job; for those who are battling the virus; and for the families and friends of all those who have died due to the virus.
- Listen: Abide by local and state stay-at-home orders. Avoid gathering with those do not live in your home (this includes extended family members such as grandchildren, parents, or siblings who do not live with you!). Limit trips to stores for food and other essential items, and utilize curbside pickup or home delivery as available. If you must go out in public, wear a mask to protect others.
- Give: Remember that the mission and ministry of Augsburg is continuing during this time. In the synod staff led worship on April 19, Bishop Beaudoin asked us to prayerfully consider donating a tithe of your stimulus check to your local congregation. If you are financially able to do so, I strongly encourage you to consider this. (PayPal Giving link at top of this page)
- Reach out: Consider calling someone from Augsburg that you haven't seen in awhile to check on them. Take some time to listen to how your lives have been affected, and spend some time in prayer together. If phone calls aren't your thing, consider dropping a letter or note card in the mail. (I know I always appreciate getting mail that's not a bill!)
- Anticipate: Look forward to the time when we can gather in-person again. When we do gather, we will celebrate Easter. No one loves Easter worship more than I do, so this will be as grand of a worship service as safely possible!
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord's face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And may the Lord upon you with favor, and give you peace. Amen.
Pastor Kelley
Service Time: Suspended Until Further Notice
Staffed nursery available each week
Staffed nursery available each week
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