For many years, every time our family went anywhere in the car, one of the kiddos would ask, “Are we there, yet?” It didn’t matter if we were just zipping to the grocery store or making the 14-hour pilgrimage from Wichita to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving Weekend, they needed to know if we had arrived, and if not, how long would it be until we did?
We’re all asking the same questions as the stay-at-home order extends into May. “Are we there, yet? Is Ohio lifting the shelter-in-place order? When we will be able to gather again as a church community in our worship space?” After weeks of isolation, we are all eager to be together in person again.
As I mentioned in our latest Lifeline newsletter, ministry leaders from around the Southern Ohio Synod met remotely with Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt and her staff last week to hear about strategies and best practices for the weeks and months ahead. It was time well spent and we had loads of questions about what worship, pastoral care, Vacation Bible School, and the many other learning and serving moments that are at the center of our lives together in ministry will look like on the other side of COVID-19.
When we asked if we can resume worship, our Bishop said, “Not yet. Hold tight. We’ve seen how faith communities not following restrictions have had disastrous occurrences. Ohio is still on stay-at-home order, so we will use this time to make plans for when we’ll be back together.”
While we wait, we are diligently planning. Our goal is to develop a strategy that will protect each other when we can gather again. We are fortunate that one of our members, Liz Zimmerly, MSN, RN-BC, works in the field of health and safety, and has volunteered to share her expertise. During these weeks, she is meeting with staff, church council, and Ministry Area Coordinators (MACs), creating goals in phases.
As we create safe re-opening schedules and mitigation strategies, we are considering the vulnerable among us. Our plans must be local and contextual. When we have a plan, we’ll organize implementation and communicate it with all of you.
During this time, we also have a team who is reaching out to work with anyone who is currently unable to access worship online. Is this you? If so, please be in touch with Cara (
Next week, we’ll be releasing a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) page on our website, which will address many of the questions we’re all asking, including:
- Worship re-entry practices
- Holy Communion
- Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
- Greeters & Ushers
- Sunday School, Preschool & Nursery
- VBS (Vacation Bible School)
- Outside Group Usage
- Office Hours & Pastoral Care
When will we open our building and grounds for worship, outreach, and fellowship? As soon as possible. When we do open, we will be confident that we are doing everything possible to keep everyone healthy.
Bishop Dillahunt, in closing, said, “Even though we are stepping into the unknown, we can do this! It is important for us to be innovators during this season and focus on our mission.” She read, Isaiah 43:18-19 and declared, “God is doing new things in us and through us!”
If you have specific questions or concerns, or want to be part of the planning team, contact the church office.
Thank you for your patience and support as we move forward together as a community. God continues to use us to live, share, and celebrate with all.
In faith and hope,
Pastor Lowell