Dear Congregation of Hillsdale UMC,
This is a trying time for many people in our country and our communities. With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) schools, businesses and large gatherings are being shut down. It remains to be seen the impact this will have on people and places in our area, but hear this from the Apostle Paul:
“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG)
In our church, we are making adjustments during hard times to a different kind of ministry. We are mailing you the sermon and have transitioned to no public worship. Instead, we are streaming our services on Facebook Live (search for Hillsdale United Methodist Church on www.facebook.com). We know this will remain in place until at least March 22nd and will do our best to keep people informed of future worship services. We are also looking at ways we can be engaged with the community. Many people will not have their usual social services in place, so food, medicine and community support are critical in this time. To address this we ask two things from you: 1) will you let us know about people and places that are in need? We want to provide mental, physical and spiritual support in this challenging time, so we need your help to discover the needs. 2) will you make yourself available to volunteer time, energy and resources to help those in need? If so, please let us know so we can connect you with the needs in our community. If you are willing to give additional financial support to the church, I encourage you to give to the discretionary fund, so we can help those who are hurting most.
In our own context, the Church Board voted to fully fund all the staff at Hillsdale United Methodist Church. Even though staff won’t be doing their usual jobs, they are all finding ways to stay connected with the groups they work with, and finding missional ways to serve our communities. I am especially grateful to our staff and volunteers that made online worship possible. They did a great job! Unfortunately, we were not able to collect an offering this past Sunday, so, if you can, we invite you to mail in a check, or give online at www.hillsdalenjumc.org/give. I am including a copy of this past week’s sermon. I hope you find comfort and inspiration in it. On the other side are some recommendations to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), and a list of activities that are appropriate amidst “social distancing,” one of the keys to containing the virus. We hope you find this helpful. Let us know of any needs that may arise, or ways you are willing to help. Keep trusting God and God bless!
In Christ,
Pastor Brian Neville
“Simple Steps to Help Stop the Spread of Disease
• Wash hands often with soap, for at least 20 seconds, including fingertips
• cough into your elbow instead of your hand
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects, if someone is sick
• stay 6 feet apart
• stay home if you feel sick
• contact a health worker if you have symptoms; fever and a dry cough are most common (shortness of breath is the distinctive feature of coronavirus (COVID-19)
ø Don’t touch your face
ø Don’t travel if you have a fever and cough
ø Don’t wear a face mask if you are well”
MISSIONAL
•Write or call family, friends and neighbors, especially those that may be vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19)
•Volunteer with the church to help those in need with groceries and medication
•Choose one or two people in need who you can visit with consistently (note: social distancing means we maintain the same, consistent network; not that we cut ourselves off from others completely)
•Set up a conference call to encourage others in their faith
•Donate to the food pantry or discretionary fund at church so others have food, medicine and paid bills even if they can't work
•Check the "gossip" about the outbreak against trusted sources, such as the CDC. Help keep people properly informed.
•Pray for those who are sick and scared. Join us in prayer for our district Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 9am (call the church for details of how to join)
SPIRITUAL
•Worship on Facebook Live or listen to our podcast (you can even host a "viewing party" so you and your friends can chat during the service)
•Read the scriptures. Try a new reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app.
•Pray and meditate
•Do a daily or weekly fast
•Journal your thoughts and feelings (direct them toward God)
•Make a budget and consider how much you might give to the church and those in need
•Practice contemplation
•Offer confession to the pastor or a trusted friend
•Practice solitude
•Show gratitude by thanking God and telling others about ways you feel blessed
•Practice silence
•Practice frugality (being content with what you have)
•Participate in spiritual guidance
SOCIAL
•Read a book
•Take a virtual museum tour*
•critique amateur films
•learn a foreign lanugage (or at least afew words)
•expand your vocabulary with a thesaurus or dictionary
•explore nature
•start birdwatching
•go on a secluded run
•get takeout food from a great local restaurant
•try a new recipe
•play board games
•build an enormous puzzle
•make art
•do your taxes (and consider a gift to the church if you get a refund!)
•do some house work and build with purpose
•send an encouragement to your favorite players on your favorite sports teams
•Rewatch a favorite sports game
•Do family yoga
•*requires internet
