Dear Church Family,
Regarding the President’s call to reopen churches, I want to share with you what we are doing at First UMC Glassboro to prepare for the day we reopen our facilities.
Our church council and I take seriously our responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety, especially in regards to COVID-19. We have formed a Reopening Task Force (RTF) to put policies and practices in place throughout our church to reduce risk, protect everyone’s health, and provide a welcome environment for all people. The RTF includes people representing all areas of our church and people with valuable experience from the frontlines of this pandemic. The RTF has already made progress in defining certain measures and plans to present a comprehensive policy to council for approval at the council meeting on Monday, June 15th. Once approved, our leaders, committees, and groups will work tirelessly to have everything in place prior to our reopening. We will make sure you are informed of what to expect well in advance so you can prepare for the day we gather again in person.
Please see Bishop John Schol’s response to the President’s statement for details on the Conference’s requirements for reopening churches safely. Until all the requirements to reopen our facilities are met, we will continue to worship and meet online exclusively.
In Romans 12:10-12, the apostle Paul said
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Would you join me in praying for our Reopening Task Force, our congregation, and our Conference as we strive to serve God, honor one another, and remain faithful stewards of each other’s well-being?
Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John