March 11: Sunday worship suspended

Beloved St. Andrew Community,

The Session met on Monday evening and, after prayerfully identifying and weighing the many values we hold together in tension as a church, made two important decisions.

1. We decided to suspend our corporate Sunday worship services for at least the next two weeks and no longer than Palm Sunday (April 5), unless circumstances require a change.
2. We appointed and empowered an administrative commission to recommend and implement steps on our path forward in a way that upholds our values as a worshipping community during the time our Sunday, corporate worship is suspended. The commission members are Teresa Platin and Andrea Shirey (co-chairs), myself, Julie Kae Sigars, Amber Oakes, Pattie Holt, Dan Clawson, and Melet Whinston (on a volunteer basis for her medical expertise, knowing further qualified expertise may be required).

The group is representative of the session, deacons, and personnel committee. In addition, we are consulting with many others, so that we can quickly coordinate our actions and communication as we determine the way forward according to the values we named together as a session:

1. Being physically and emotionally connected.
2. Worshiping together regularly.
3. Predictability.
4. Stability.
5. Reasoned, fact-based responses.
6. Caution and care for the most vulnerable in our community and the broader community.
7. Sustainable practices that care for staff and volunteers.

These are challenging, anxious times, yet I am convinced there may be a potentially brilliant silver lining to this cloud. I believe the church is made for times just like this, and I look forward to the imaginative ways we will continue to hold one another as the Spirit of Life shows up in our midst. As the Samaritan woman is waiting to teach us this Sunday, with Jesus there is sustenance waiting for us we have yet to realize!

You will hear more in the next few days, but for now, we wanted to make you aware so you can plan accordingly.

Grace & Peace,
Scott