Dear friends of the Floyd-Willis Parish,
By now you are probably aware that the number of cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus, is expanding and many organizations and businesses are taking preventive measures in order to minimize its impact. Our parish has taken the Virginia Synod Bishop’s advice seriously and we will therefore cancel worship and any other in-person, public gatherings through Wednesday, April 1, as we await further information. We make this decision out of love for neighbor and wanting to protect those who are most at risk, those over sixty years of age and those with pre-existing conditions.
Bishop Humphrey stated in his pastoral message on COVID-19 that “there is a growing consensus among health organizations that our best chance to slow the spread of this virus and to avoid overwhelming our healthcare system is to immediately respond as calmly, but as aggressively, as possible to limit person-to-person direct contact.”
This means several things:
Our Wednesday Lenten meals and Bible Study (March 18 and 25) and Sunday worship (March 15, 22, 29) will be cancelled. I am attaching the sermon and service for this Sunday. I hope you will take the time to read through both for your time of worship and reflection tomorrow morning. Simply click on the link below and you will see both documents at the end of this email. Click on them for the sermon and service.
If you find yourself in need of help or support during this time of physical distance, please reach out to neighbors, congregation members, and Pastor Wanda for assistance as possible.
Communication in this time of distance is key. Please stay attentive to your email for updates and other information as well as helping pass information along to others via phone so that we can all stay connected.
Offerings can be mailed in to the church .
We encourage you to wash your hands, stay home when you are sick, avoid public gatherings, wear a mask if you have symptoms, and consult your medical provider.
Find helpful resources and other information on COVID-19 here: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/
Bishop Humphrey also shared these important words:
“As the church, this is an opportunity for us to act as faithful, responsible witnesses in our communities. We act, not out of fear, but out of genuine care and concern for those most vulnerable in our midst – those of us who are older; those of us who have chronic health conditions; those of us who care for those impacted by this virus. We act unselfishly for the sake of others and our communities. While we act with full confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39), there may be times when we should be separated (at least physically) from one another.”
While this will be a difficult few weeks, I believe the Holy Spirit is at work already to comfort, sustain, and unite us. God is with us in our homes as we pray, read our bibles, write cards, make phone calls, and wash our hands. Let’s take this opportunity to deepen our spiritual practices at home.
I am praying continually for our congregation, community, and the world. I invite you to pray as well.
If you have any questions, please reach out. If you need prayer, please reach out. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Peace & Grace,
Pr. Wanda Childs
Wanda L. Childs
Pastor, Floyd-Willis Lutheran Parish
“Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see. “ ― Martin Luther
|