Dear Friends,
As the days go by the response to the Covid-19 (Corona) virus seems to be ramping up in all aspects of our culture. Communities are responding to protect especially those who are at highest risk. I want to assure you that as a church we are working to stay well educated and prepared to respond in prudent ways to protect our community. What follows are some suggestions and prudent measures to consider:
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DON’T PANIC! – Really folks this is not the first nor will it be the last challenge we face as a community. When the rest of the world is fearful is the best time for us to show the world the one who faces all their fears. We stand assured of a God who is bigger than any fear we face. The prophet Isaiah writes, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Is 41:10 NASB) Fear is the opposite of faith, now is the best time to display our faith in how we react to times of fear and uncertainty.
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Help People - As a faith community Friends have always been the first to run towards this kind of danger not away from it. When smallpox, cholera, and even ebola in modern times strike, the church runs to help. Now is the time to help the most vulnerable and share our resources. Check on your elderly or health compromised neighbors. Offer to go grocery shopping or run other errands so that those who are at most risk are protected. Rather than isolate use this time to be the hands (washed and sanitized) of Jesus to your neighbors.
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Pray – Pray that God’s hand of protection will cover our community. Pray that God will use this crisis to draw people to Himself. Pray that God will open a door for you to shine the light of Jesus into the world. Pray with your friends and neighbors to help them turn their eyes to the God who brings shalom to fearful minds.
At this point the risk to our community is very low. No cases have been confirmed in our area and for most people the disease presents minimal risk. However, we do need to act to protect the vulnerable and limit the spread as much as possible. Listen to health care providers and practice good prevention techniques. Care for the sick and vulnerable among us. Stand tall and let your light shine so that people will “see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven”. (Matt 5:16)
If the virus spreads to our area we are prepared to take all necessary steps to protect our congregation and our community. In the mean time we are suggesting these responsible precautions:
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If you are one of those who are at high risk we encourage you to join us on Sunday mornings by live stream rather than in person. If you need help connecting, call the office and we will do all we can to make this available to you. If you have an internet connection it’s very easy. There is a link on our website www.hughesvillefriends.org that will take you to the live stream each Sunday morning.
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Pastor Dan will not be greeting people at the rear doors after service for the next several weeks.
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We suggest you use reasonable precautions and hand washing techniques before and after service once again to minimize risk.
We will endeavor to keep you up to date on any and all actions taken in response to community spread of the virus. At this point all services are being held as previously scheduled. We will use the one-call system to notify if any major changes are necessary. A special page is accessible from our webpage to update you on any other changes. Go to our website at www.hughesvillefriends.org and click on the Corona Virus Response button.