A Word About GTCC and Covid-19

There are tough decisions being made on whether or not to meet tomorrow and going forward.  Because the advice that is being given out by our health authorities and government is not to meet if we are in groups of 250 or larger, we believe that it is OK to gather. But, we understand that gathering together in groups always presents its own sort of risks and some will be comfortable with that while others are not.  The scriptures encouraged us to not give up meeting together, but that doesn’t just mean in public worship gatherings – it means to find ways to care and love each other no matter what is present.   Scriptures tell us not fear and to be anxious of nothing but Jesus also told his disciples to be as wise as serpents while being as innocent as doves. We are preparing to meet tomorrow at 10 AM tomorrow for worship.  We want you to to be comfortable in making your own decision about whether or not you choose to attend.  Please choose wisely.  if you are in a high risk category or are experiencing any health concerns or symptoms, it would be better for you to stay home.  We will broadcast Alejandro’s sermon on Facebook live on our Green Timbers Facebook page so that you can connect.  We are making adjustments on some of our practices, but worship will continue. As leaders we want to make good decisions and we want you to make good decisions.  As we have been discussing our response as leadership and praying through how we should respond, these things continue to rise to the surface of our conversations.  I want to state them as things that we have considered during this time and name that we all can come to different places in the importance of these different things or what that means for us: .

• We want to worship
• We want to be together
• We want to trust God
• We want to be wise
• We want to be healthy
• We want to protect the vulnerable
• We want to life each other up, not cause harm
• We want to do our part to “Flatten the Curve”
• We want to be culturally sensitive
• We want to follow the advice of local health officials

What have we done or doing to make worshiping tomorrow a possibility?

• We will encourage good social distancing practices during the service.
• We will ask be respectful and smart in touching each other.  Allow each other to freedom to not shake hands or hug.  We encourage a way of greeting that involves less physical contact.
• We have purchased hand sanitizer and will have it available
• We will make sure surfaces are wiped down with disinfectant before people gather
• We will make it possible to watch the sermon and prayers via Facebook Live on the GTCC Facebook page – unfortunately we cannot stream the singing because of copyright laws, but we can share different parts of the service with you on line if you can follow along and we can remain connected in that way even if some choose not to come to the public gathering.  The songs that we will be signing are linked on our Sunday Worship Playlist which you can access here
• We will not pass the offering plates, but have them available for people to give in the back of the church, and we will incorporate an opportunity for giving in the worship service.
• We will move coffee time to the end of the service giving more freedom for people to choose to participate or not.
• We will serve food and drinks rather than set it out for people to grab.  The cups will have been run through the dishwasher that morning for a second time.
• We will ask the kids to remain in the Sunday School rooms and not go into the larger room where the daycare meets.
• And, of course, we have been and will be praying for safety, wisdom and health for us all

What can you do?

• Pray, worship, sing, engage as you are able and comfortable
• Practice good personal hygiene:  WASH YOUR HANDS regularly for at least 20 seconds.
• Come early and help wipe down the place with disinfectant to make it ready for a community gathering
• If you are sick or showing any symptoms – stay home.
• If you are a part of a more vulnerable population – stay home.  Some churches have asked people over a certain age to stay home.  Here is the advice/definition of vulnerable people via the government of Canada
• Respect each other and the decisions of others on the level of participation that they are comfortable with
• Be wise in your choices, but do not let fear and anxiety rule your choices
• Consider wise and measured lifestyle adjustments – but still live! It is wise to pay attention to these health realities, especially when you are part of communal gatherings and in public spaces. There are some good resources out there now regarding church and individual/family adjustments that are recommended – share these widely to help normalize proactive and wide public health behaviors. Continue to listen to medical professionals and public health leaders so that we can accurately adjust behavior to match the risk and reality of our public health, and also reject any sense of panic, fear, racism, or stockpiling supplies, all of which damage public health in the long run.

Please be in prayer.  Our response to this will continue to evolve.  This is where we are for tomorrow, that doesn’t mean our response will be the same next week.  We will continue to monitor the advice of health professionals and make decisions according to that..

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