Dear Friends,
I write to you as Covid-19 (Novel corona-virus) continues to spread and the concern in this country grows. First, let me remind you that our church and all Christians have a responsibility to care for one another, to not stoke fear but to respond reasonably and with regard for the safety of all, and to spread knowledge rather than rumors.
So let me reassure everyone that while the Thursday Lenten Study was canceled, I am healthy and well. This cancellation is an attempt to do our part to be proactive rather than reactive after the fact. John Walker, our church moderator and I have deliberately chosen to err on the side of caution. While we may not be concerned for ourselves personally we do feel a responsibility for the health of the vulnerable of our congregation. Along those lines, here are some guidelines gleaned from CDC and our UCC Insurance Board recommendations regarding our worship and events at the Congregational Church of Laconia.
So to this end:
1. If you feel ill, stay home. I promise God will still love you! And our worship services are recorded and can be seen on the local access channel 25 the following Sunday at 4:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
2. If you are experiencing fever, shortness of breath, and coughing, call your doctor right away. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough; if a tissue isn’t handy, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
3. We have plenty of space in our sanctuary and for the time being it would be okay to spread out in the pews and not sit shoulder to shoulder. Unless of course you are closely related to the person beside you!
4. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. Proper hand washing means using soap and water, and rubbing your hands for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice or perhaps more in keeping with our tradition the Doxology).
5. We will be considering our options for Holy Communion, how we take the offering and coffee hour. Look for changes to some of these in the weeks ahead.
6. And of course the Passing of the Peace. It is fine to wave, pump fists or elbows, give the peace sign or simply speak without shaking hands. The “Namaste” gesture conveys a comparable expression. Peace does not need skin to skin contact to be transmitted.
7. Sanitizer will be available throughout the church for your use, as well as tissues. And feel free to bring your own.
8. Know that we will be continually monitoring the latest recommendations coming from the Centers for Disease Control and the New Hampshire Dept. of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease.
Please understand that as we may need to cancel or postpone church events, we are doing so out of genuine concern for the health and safety of our members and wider community. I know this will inconvenience some more than others. We will undoubtedly make some decisions that will seem overkill in retrospect, so I ask for understanding and forgiveness. Also, I seek your cooperation, good will, and assistance. I would also ask for your prayers for your church leadership, who are working diligently to ensure that we work together to help meet the needs of the congregation during this pandemic.
I close with this prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book.
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart, bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. Amen.
Peace,
Pastor Neil Wilson
I will send out periodic updates.
