Dear Bryn Mawr Church Family:
In response to the rising numbers of those detected with the coronavirus (COVID-19), and upon the advice medical professionals across the country, Governor Pritzker has issued an order that all residents of the state “shelter in place”, and that all “non-essential businesses and groups” shut down their operations through April 7, 2020. This order includes any place where people would gather in groups, including churches, synagogues and temples.
This means that for the foreseeable future, we must ask everyone to comply, in order to prevent the potential for spreading this deadly virus. As stated by the Governor, people may continue to go outside, go to stores for groceries, prescriptions and other necessities and seek medical help, after contacting your physician for advice. We may even go out for walks and exercise, as long as we continue to practice the social distancing guidelines provided recently. But we cannot and should not gather in groups under any circumstances.
We recognize the difficulty of this for all of us. But we must comply, if for no other reason that we are protecting the health and wellbeing of those for whom we care. The words of Jesus Christ, which tell us to “Love one another” is taking on a new meaning—to care about how we could possibly affect one another even with no intention to hurt anyone. This is the time to really take to heart the words “I need you to survive”, by understanding that our normal inclination to reach out physically to each other must be curtailed for the time being.
We will continue to communicate with you regularly, through email messages, phone calls and social media. Please reach out to one another, pray with one another and encourage one another. We will continue to provide opportunities to worship on Sundays online, so please check your phones and email accounts regularly for instructions. And we want to encourage you to use technology to gather by phone, Facebook Live, etc. for bible studies and prayer groups. Just because we cannot meet face to face does not mean that we should stop being people of faith! God has provided all kinds of ways to continue to stay in touch—let’s use them!
In the meantime, continue to follow the CDC guidelines (wash your hands, keep an appropriate distance from one another, take extra care of your ‘temple’). And “Pray without ceasing. And in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God” (I Thessalonians 5: 17-18) concerning the people of Christ!
We love you! We are a phone call away if you need us.
The Church Council of Bryn Mawr Community Church The Board of Deacons
Dr. Kent L. Poindexter Interim Pastor