Pandemic Updates

The pandemic has disrupted life for all of us. Life looks a little different around here these days, and we are constantly adapting based on ebb and flow of the pandemic. Here are some of our current weekly offerings during the pandemic. Check out our Facebook page or Instagram for other updates!

July 26, 2021 ReOpening Committee Updates:

We hope you didn’t throw your masks away, because they are suddenly trendy again! 😷
  • Due to rising cases of Covid in our area and across the country, we are once again requesting that everyone wears a mask in the sanctuary for our weekly worship service. Smaller groups and committees may choose to remove masks for their meetings. We will continue to watch the metrics and will recommend relaxing mask requirements when our area reaches less than 10 cases per 100,000 in our community.
  • We will continue to use single-serve communion cups for the time being.
  • We will continue to pass the offering plate during worship, and have them available at the exits for offering and visitors cards. If you don’t wish to pass the offering plate, it’s okay to simply offer a quick gesture of “no thanks!” to the ushers when they come by your pew during the offertory!
  • We ask family units to give reasonable space to others for social distancing purposes.
  • We will continue to offer our Fellowship Hour (with coffee and snacks) in the Fellowship Lounge between the Sunday School hour and after worship, but ask people to be careful and cautious about sharing germs.
We are sorry that we have to take this “step back” in our re-opening process, but feel it best for the time being in order to keep our members, friends, and guests safe! Thank you for your cooperation and support as we navigate this strange season together!

June 8, 2021 Updates:
  • As of June 8th, the metrics in our community show less than 10 cases per 100,000 people in our community. This is very low. That does not mean there is no risk, but because cases are so low, and because vaccines are now widespread, the Re-Opening Committee makes the following recommendations:
    • If you are vaccinated you are no longer required to wear a mask during worship or in other areas of the building.
    • If you have not yet been vaccinated or feel more comfortable wearing a mask please continue to do so. 
  • We anticipate that we may resume passing the offering plates and communion elements (bread and juice) soon. When we do, we will continue to offer the pre-packaged, single-serving communion elements to whomever wishes to use them. We will also make it simple and subtle for you to say "no thanks" if you do not wish to pass anything.
  • We recognize that we continue to be in a strange season, where some folks don't want to wear a mask at all, and others may not feel safe attending or sitting close to someone who isn't wearing a mask. My request (as pastor) is that we all continue to show abundant grace and care for one another as we continue to navigate the pandemic at this stage—just as we have done all along. We know we don't agree on everything: That's okay. To be honest, we even prefer it that way! But we can still model God's love for all of us in the way that we treat one another in this season. Let's not assume that everyone who is attending has the same comfort levels as we do: give ample space to others, ask before hugging, and save the "greet one another with a holy kiss" for family members. 😘 You all have done a marvelous job so far during the pandemic, and we as a community of faith have avoided the worst case scenarios during the pandemic. Let's continue to stay the course, and be diligent in caring for one another and keeping one another safe! God bless each of you. (Art)
  • Finally: we are beyond grateful for the work and wise leadership of our Re-Opening Committee this past year. They have kept us all safe even as they've found creative ways for us to resume worship, fellowship, mission, and discipleship. Thank you!

May 25, 2021 Updates:
  1. For the time being we request that everyone continues to wear a mask in the sanctuary for our weekly worship service. Smaller groups and committees may choose to remove masks for their meetings. We are continuing to watch the metrics and will recommend relaxing mask requirements when our area reaches less than 10 cases per 100,000 in our community.
  2. We are removing the 50 person cap on worship service capacity. Please feel free to invite your friends and neighbors!
  3. Adult Spiritual Formation classes are resuming in person for the summer. We are planning to continue to offer the chance to "Zoom in" for these classes.
  4. We will continue to use single-serve communion cups for the time being.
  5. We are not passing the offering plate during worship, and have them available at the exits for offering and visitors cards.
  6. We have removed ribbons from the pews and arrows from the sanctuary, but ask family units to continue to give reasonable space to others.
  7. We plan to resume our "coffee and snack time" in the Fellowship Lounge between the Sunday School hour and worship starting around 29 August 2021.
(Updated May 25th, 2021)

Worship in person on Sunday mornings!

We are no longer asking people to sign up in advance for Sunday morning worship at 11am. Our services are fully "live" at this point, and we have resumed singing (with masks). We do not have a cap on the number of people who can attend worship as of May 2021, but we are asking people to continue to wear masks in the sanctuary and keep reasonable space between family units.

Online Worship on Facebook and Youtube

We have recently stopped pre-recording worship and have begun to livestream our Sunday morning worship via Facebook. You should be able to watch online even if you do not have a Facebook account! Click here on Sunday mornings at 11am or shortly before to watch.

After Sunday worship, we will post the recorded services here on our Youtube Channel by Tuesday afternoon.
Click here to download the Re-opening plan:
Reopening Plan.pdf
File Size: 784 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Current Office Hours at the Church

During the pandemic, Kim Gehr, our office administrator, is at the church most weekdays from 9am until 5pm. Our pastor, Rev. Art Wright, is typically at the church on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, and is working from home Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Our children and families minister, Deb Fisher, is usually at the church on Sundays and Thursdays.

We love having folks come to the church, but given the challenges of the pandemic, sometimes our schedules change! So it's always best to call or email first before coming by to visit! You can email us with the buttons below, or call 757-229-1217 to set up an appointment.

Adult Spiritual Formation (Sundays, 9:30–10:30am in-person and via Zoom)

Click here to find out about our current spiritual formation options! Our summer plan is to offer in-person groups, but we will plan to allow folks to join via Zoom, too, if you feel safest that way.

Children and Youth Programming

Click here to find out about more about our plans for a return for children and youth to our church.

Fourth Sunday Vespers (8–9pm via Zoom)

NOTE: Our weekly "Vespers" is on hiatus for the summer, but we will meet on the fourth Sunday of each month just for a chance to connect!

This is a virtual fellowship and prayer time on Sunday evenings, from 8 to 9pm, June 27th, July 25th, and August 22nd.

Come as you are and stay for however long you are able! It's okay to drop in and drop out depending on your schedule! This is simply a chance for us to connect with one another, catch up, share prayer concerns, and pray together on Sunday evening.

Join us at this Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/95163487344

Meeting ID: 951 6348 7344

Brown Bag Bible Study (Tuesdays at Noon via Zoom)

NOTE: We are currently taking a break for the summer!

This is a weekly Bible study on Tuesdays from noon to 1pm. We are currently meeting virtually.

We typically read and discuss that week's Scripture text for the sermon, and sometimes reflect on the previous week's sermon, as well. We'd love for you to join us on your lunch break (bring your lunch... hence "brown bag"!). No preparation needed: just show up and stay as long as you are able!

Join at this Zoom link here.

Zoom Meeting ID: 943 8654 8244

Password: (No password on this meeting)

(Once you click on the link, you will be admitted from the waiting room into our Zoom room.)