October Relaunch Update

CHURCH RELAUNCH TEAM

MISSION: Protect the safety and welfare of the St. Paul’s family and members of the community against the resurgence of Covid 19.

Dear St. Paulians and Friends,

I hope this message finds you and your families doing well as we continue to press our way through this global pandemic. Being physically separated has been difficult, nonetheless for the last 19 months you have been faithful in your support of St. Paul’s and her ministries. You have continued to join in our Online Worship experience, and you have envisioned creative ways to do the work of our ministry and even to fellowship together. You are a faithful body and throughout this pandemic I have been proud to be your pastor.

The Relaunch Task Force and I believe that with certain protocols and precautions in place it is safe and time to return to in-person worship. We do not take lightly the dangers associated with COVID-19, its variants, or their contagious nature. But we also trust that with proper precautions we can safely worship together. I believe that all of us are anxious to get back to being in one place, raising one voice together to honor, praise, and thank God, without neglecting those who choose to worship with us online.

The work of our Relaunch Task Force has been invaluable. Their care for our members, community, and level of thoughtfulness has been exceptional. The Relaunch Task Force will be working diligently this month solely planning for our safe return on the 1st Sunday in November. Every aspect of our church services and our church experiences will be reviewed and adjusted so that we can provide safety for those attending our in-person services. I ask that you pray for God to give our task force wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. I pray that you are as excited as I am to gather in-person for worship. What am I asking of you as we plan our return?

1. Beginning to pray every day during this month for our church.

2. Set aside time to pray and fast as you are led.

3. If you choose to continue worshiping online, feel comfortable to do so; we recognize that everyone is not ready to return.

4. If you plan to return, share your enthusiasm with others.5. Make the decision to faithfully give your tithes and offering or return to faithfully giving now.6. Prepare your heart and mind to return to in-person worship.

I, or the Relaunch Task Force, will continue to send important updates. Until then, let us work together to re-open safely, pray for and encourage one another, and support with great confidence our efforts to return to our sanctuary.

With Limitless Possibilities,Pastor Croft