COVID-19 Precautions at Mt Zion UCC
UPDATE: March 9, 2022
Dear Mt. Zion Family,
We are pleased to share that beginning Sunday, March 13th masks will be optional at all Mt. Zion church services and events. Based on low case rates in York County and updated CDC guidelines, the Response Team and Church Council prayerfully made this decision.
We celebrate taking another step forward in returning to "normalcy" and we give thanks to God for the progress that has been made in treating COVID-19. We invite you to join us for our Lenten Sunday services and Wednesday evening potlucks and midweek services in whatever way feels most comfortable to you.
Blessings and peace,
The Mt. Zion Response Team & Church Council
Dear Mt. Zion Family,
We are pleased to share that beginning Sunday, March 13th masks will be optional at all Mt. Zion church services and events. Based on low case rates in York County and updated CDC guidelines, the Response Team and Church Council prayerfully made this decision.
We celebrate taking another step forward in returning to "normalcy" and we give thanks to God for the progress that has been made in treating COVID-19. We invite you to join us for our Lenten Sunday services and Wednesday evening potlucks and midweek services in whatever way feels most comfortable to you.
Blessings and peace,
The Mt. Zion Response Team & Church Council
UPDATE: February 22, 2022
UPDATE: December 21, 2021
Mt. Zion Family-
We pray God’s peace to you in this Advent season, a season filled with anticipation of the birth of Christ. We also know that perhaps it is a time where you are feeling the fatigue of 21 months in a pandemic. Like you, we wish the pandemic were a distant memory — and yet we know, it is still very much a reality. As always, the staff, Response Team and Church Council care very much about the safety and well being of our congregation and with that in mind, we share the following update regarding the safety protocols at Mt. Zion.
The COVID Response Team and Church Council have become aware of and reviewed recent information regarding the presence and threat of COVID-19 in our community. Currently, the high case load, and corresponding high emergency room usage and high hospitalization rate, is impacting hospitals across the region, including WellSpan York Hospital and UPMC Memorial Hospital. This week, the CDC reported rapidly rising cases of the new omicron variant, doubling approximately every 2 days, across the Northeast US. In many areas, it is now the dominant strain. Though vaccines and other measures seem to reduce the severity of the disease from omicron, the omicron variant seems to be much more easily spread, even among vaccinated people.
In thinking of the greater good and how to best care for our neighbor, last evening, Church Council voted to require masks at all indoor functions and services at Mt. Zion until further notice. This includes our 3 PM and 10 PM Christmas Eve services. Given the current stress on our healthcare system, along with the risk of a new and rapidly spreading omicron variant, we also recommend that all members evaluate their own personal and family risk, and consider this information in their decisions on how to engage in our worship services in the coming week. We are grateful to be able to offer in-person worship as well as an option to stream our services.
Despite the stress and strain of these difficult times, the good news of Christ’s birth cannot be diminished and we have much to be grateful for. However you choose to participate in worship this coming week, we are truly blessed to be sharing Christmas with you, our church family.
In Christ,
Mt. Zion Church Council & COVID Response Team
Hello, friends! I’m eager to share another update on behalf of the COVID Response Team and Church Council regarding worship at Mt. Zion! The COVID Response Team, Church Council, and Staff have been in conversation regarding how to continue the process of easing guidelines for gathering while also being mindful of the varied experiences and perspectives of our congregation members. Thank you to those who participated in our recent survey regarding worship.
We are pleased to share that as of Sunday, July 4th, we will once again be offering two worship services on Sunday mornings — one at 8 AM and one at 10:30 AM. At both of these services, we will joyfully return to congregational singing.
We know that within our congregation there are different perspectives on how best to gather — some are comfortable without wearing masks, others are not quite ready to unmask. Some of our members are immunocompromised, others are children not yet eligible for vaccination, and each of us has a barometer for what we are comfortable with. We honor each of your experiences and choices. In order to provide worship opportunities that are comfortable and enjoyable for as many people as possible, we are offering two different options for worship.
There are no perfect solutions, and yet we feel that having these options allows for the spectrum of experiences of our members and guests. And as always, the Response Team and Church Council look forward to adjusting the guidelines as we are able.
Mt. Zion, we have been so excited to see you in person and we look forward to ever expanding opportunities to gather together. We will also continue to offer opportunities to gather via zoom for those who are most comfortable that way. We celebrate that throughout the last 15 months, we have remained a strong congregation, united in sharing the love of Christ. God bless you, friends — and we look forward to seeing you!
We are pleased to share that as of Sunday, July 4th, we will once again be offering two worship services on Sunday mornings — one at 8 AM and one at 10:30 AM. At both of these services, we will joyfully return to congregational singing.
We know that within our congregation there are different perspectives on how best to gather — some are comfortable without wearing masks, others are not quite ready to unmask. Some of our members are immunocompromised, others are children not yet eligible for vaccination, and each of us has a barometer for what we are comfortable with. We honor each of your experiences and choices. In order to provide worship opportunities that are comfortable and enjoyable for as many people as possible, we are offering two different options for worship.
- The 8 AM service will be a “masks optional” service — meaning you are not required to wear a mask, but you are certainly welcome to.
- Our 10:30 AM service will be a “masks required” service — meaning, we ask that anyone attending or participating in worship please wear masks.
- And of course, we will continue to offer live streaming at our 10:30 AM service so that you can participate in worship from home or whenever you are on vacation.
There are no perfect solutions, and yet we feel that having these options allows for the spectrum of experiences of our members and guests. And as always, the Response Team and Church Council look forward to adjusting the guidelines as we are able.
Mt. Zion, we have been so excited to see you in person and we look forward to ever expanding opportunities to gather together. We will also continue to offer opportunities to gather via zoom for those who are most comfortable that way. We celebrate that throughout the last 15 months, we have remained a strong congregation, united in sharing the love of Christ. God bless you, friends — and we look forward to seeing you!
Updated: April 22, 2021
On behalf of the COVID Response Team and Church Council we’d like to share the wonderful news that as of Sunday, May 23rd, we will be regathering for in person worship at Mt. Zion.
While there are logistics still being determined — such as whether we will be gathering in-doors or outdoors — we wanted to share this date with you as soon as possible! Like you, we are eager to see you and be together, and we remain committed to the safety and well being of all our members. Please know that even if you are not personally ready to gather in person, we will continue to offer the live stream of worship on Facebook, YouTube and our website.
When we last came to you regarding plans for in-person worship, the Response Team and Church Council had named that it was our intention to remain streaming only for worship while York County remained in high transmission. While York County is still experiencing a rise in cases and remains in high transmission, we are encouraged by the recent shift giving everyone 16 or older access to the vaccine. This change in protocol has prompted the Response Team and Church Council to revise our recommendations and set a date for regathering for in person worship. We will continue to watch the trends in York County and will adapt again if necessary. For now, we believe that with safety protocols in place, we can regather in a way that is relatively safe. We remain committed to practicing social distancing and mask-wearing, as we acknowledge that there are those among us who are not able to receive the vaccine — such as our children and those with medical conditions.
The last 13 months have been difficult. The staff, the Response Team, the Regathering Team, and Church Council have spent considerable time navigating this uncharted territory and making the best decisions possible with the information we have available to us. We care for your mind, body, and spirit. As your pastor, I am truly awed by the commitment this congregation has shown and the attitude of compassion and love you have demonstrated. We know that COVID is not over, but we do believe that together, we can continue to weather this storm.
Plans for May 23rd and beyond are being solidified and will be communicated to you as soon as possible. Until then, mark your calendars and continue to pray for our community as we forge ahead during this unprecedented time. God bless you.
On behalf of the COVID Response Team and Church Council we’d like to share the wonderful news that as of Sunday, May 23rd, we will be regathering for in person worship at Mt. Zion.
While there are logistics still being determined — such as whether we will be gathering in-doors or outdoors — we wanted to share this date with you as soon as possible! Like you, we are eager to see you and be together, and we remain committed to the safety and well being of all our members. Please know that even if you are not personally ready to gather in person, we will continue to offer the live stream of worship on Facebook, YouTube and our website.
When we last came to you regarding plans for in-person worship, the Response Team and Church Council had named that it was our intention to remain streaming only for worship while York County remained in high transmission. While York County is still experiencing a rise in cases and remains in high transmission, we are encouraged by the recent shift giving everyone 16 or older access to the vaccine. This change in protocol has prompted the Response Team and Church Council to revise our recommendations and set a date for regathering for in person worship. We will continue to watch the trends in York County and will adapt again if necessary. For now, we believe that with safety protocols in place, we can regather in a way that is relatively safe. We remain committed to practicing social distancing and mask-wearing, as we acknowledge that there are those among us who are not able to receive the vaccine — such as our children and those with medical conditions.
The last 13 months have been difficult. The staff, the Response Team, the Regathering Team, and Church Council have spent considerable time navigating this uncharted territory and making the best decisions possible with the information we have available to us. We care for your mind, body, and spirit. As your pastor, I am truly awed by the commitment this congregation has shown and the attitude of compassion and love you have demonstrated. We know that COVID is not over, but we do believe that together, we can continue to weather this storm.
Plans for May 23rd and beyond are being solidified and will be communicated to you as soon as possible. Until then, mark your calendars and continue to pray for our community as we forge ahead during this unprecedented time. God bless you.
Updated: February 25, 2021
Hello, Mt. Zion Family. I am sharing today an update from the COVID Response Team and the Church Council regarding in-person worship services and activities at Mt. Zion. Throughout the pandemic, the Response Team and Church Council have been consulting the guidance available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as recommendations from state and local health officials. We have also been listening to the “on the ground” assessment from Mt. Zion member Dr. Scott McCracken regarding the specific trends in York County. All of this information is useful when considering decisions for Mt. Zion operations.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen an encouraging downward trend in the community transmission of COVID in York County. We have also been excited by the introduction of the vaccine and that many of you have been able to get the vaccine. We also know that many are still waiting to receive it. The vaccine is a positive step towards returning to the normalcy that we all crave.
As promised, the COVID Response Team has been prayerfully considering when and how we can begin to meet in person for worship and other activities. To aide in that decision, we continue to utilize the resources named above.
Currently, York County is in the category of high community spread (defined as 100 or more new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days). As of February 19, the rate of community transmission is 224 cases per 100,000 in the past 7 days — that data comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx). The Response Team and Church Council have decided that we cannot consider gathering in person as a church family for worship or other large gatherings until the rate of community transmission moves out of high transmission and into the level of substantial transmission which is 50-99 cases per 100,000 over 7 days.
As with the approach many local schools are taking, when York County successfully sustains the substantial transmission rate for at least two weeks, then we can begin to gather again in person for worship and other events with mitigation strategies in place such as distancing and masking. We believe this is a useful metric because we will be able to prepare, as numbers go down, for regathering and we look forward to that. As a point of reference, when we regathered for in person worship in the early fall, York County was in the substantial transmission category. When cases began to rise and we entered the high transmission rate, we suspended in person gatherings. Please know that the Response Team is reviewing the numbers weekly so that we can be ready to act. Like you, we are eager to regather and look forward to begin that process as soon as it is prudent.
As we look ahead to Easter, we are eager to share in another drive-in worship service. We will offer two services that morning — one at 8:30 AM and another at 10:30 AM. Information about that service will be published in the near future. We also continue to accept in-person group meetings with ten or fewer participants. As the weather warms up, we look forward to activities that can be hosted outdoors, including an Easter Egg Hunt of the children of Mt. Zion on Saturday, April 3rd at 11 AM.
This has been a long journey. Almost one year ago we suspended our in person worship services. Throughout this year, as a congregation we have remained engaged and supportive and on behalf of the staff, church council and the covid response, I want thank you for that! We believe God is at work and strong within the Mt. Zion church family and we trust that we will again meet and worship in person with one another. We remain grateful for the gift of technology and the tried-and-true communication tools of telephone and mail all of which have enabled us to be connected even as we are separated.
A year ago, we did not imagine how much challenge and loss this year would bring. We mourn together the loss of over 500,000 lives in our country to COVID-19 and many more who have become ill with this virus. We also acknowledge just how difficult it has been to endure times of separation and the change that has been asked of all of us. There have been many sacrifices.
We are now in the season of Lent… a season that is in part, a season that reminds us that sacrifice is part of the Christian story. In this season where we have sacrificed so much, let us find hope in the One who truly sacrificed everything, for our sake — Christ our Savior. Let us focus on the power of the cross and the redemption that it promises. We know from the story of Christ that God makes good out of even the most difficult circumstances. I pray that as you look back on the last year, you acknowledge the difficulty, but also celebrate the good that God has shown us and I pray that you look with hope at the beauty and good that is to come.
Thank you friends, and God bless you.
Pastor Danielle on behalf of the COVID Response Team & Mt. Zion Church Council
Hello, Mt. Zion Family. I am sharing today an update from the COVID Response Team and the Church Council regarding in-person worship services and activities at Mt. Zion. Throughout the pandemic, the Response Team and Church Council have been consulting the guidance available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as recommendations from state and local health officials. We have also been listening to the “on the ground” assessment from Mt. Zion member Dr. Scott McCracken regarding the specific trends in York County. All of this information is useful when considering decisions for Mt. Zion operations.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen an encouraging downward trend in the community transmission of COVID in York County. We have also been excited by the introduction of the vaccine and that many of you have been able to get the vaccine. We also know that many are still waiting to receive it. The vaccine is a positive step towards returning to the normalcy that we all crave.
As promised, the COVID Response Team has been prayerfully considering when and how we can begin to meet in person for worship and other activities. To aide in that decision, we continue to utilize the resources named above.
Currently, York County is in the category of high community spread (defined as 100 or more new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days). As of February 19, the rate of community transmission is 224 cases per 100,000 in the past 7 days — that data comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx). The Response Team and Church Council have decided that we cannot consider gathering in person as a church family for worship or other large gatherings until the rate of community transmission moves out of high transmission and into the level of substantial transmission which is 50-99 cases per 100,000 over 7 days.
As with the approach many local schools are taking, when York County successfully sustains the substantial transmission rate for at least two weeks, then we can begin to gather again in person for worship and other events with mitigation strategies in place such as distancing and masking. We believe this is a useful metric because we will be able to prepare, as numbers go down, for regathering and we look forward to that. As a point of reference, when we regathered for in person worship in the early fall, York County was in the substantial transmission category. When cases began to rise and we entered the high transmission rate, we suspended in person gatherings. Please know that the Response Team is reviewing the numbers weekly so that we can be ready to act. Like you, we are eager to regather and look forward to begin that process as soon as it is prudent.
As we look ahead to Easter, we are eager to share in another drive-in worship service. We will offer two services that morning — one at 8:30 AM and another at 10:30 AM. Information about that service will be published in the near future. We also continue to accept in-person group meetings with ten or fewer participants. As the weather warms up, we look forward to activities that can be hosted outdoors, including an Easter Egg Hunt of the children of Mt. Zion on Saturday, April 3rd at 11 AM.
This has been a long journey. Almost one year ago we suspended our in person worship services. Throughout this year, as a congregation we have remained engaged and supportive and on behalf of the staff, church council and the covid response, I want thank you for that! We believe God is at work and strong within the Mt. Zion church family and we trust that we will again meet and worship in person with one another. We remain grateful for the gift of technology and the tried-and-true communication tools of telephone and mail all of which have enabled us to be connected even as we are separated.
A year ago, we did not imagine how much challenge and loss this year would bring. We mourn together the loss of over 500,000 lives in our country to COVID-19 and many more who have become ill with this virus. We also acknowledge just how difficult it has been to endure times of separation and the change that has been asked of all of us. There have been many sacrifices.
We are now in the season of Lent… a season that is in part, a season that reminds us that sacrifice is part of the Christian story. In this season where we have sacrificed so much, let us find hope in the One who truly sacrificed everything, for our sake — Christ our Savior. Let us focus on the power of the cross and the redemption that it promises. We know from the story of Christ that God makes good out of even the most difficult circumstances. I pray that as you look back on the last year, you acknowledge the difficulty, but also celebrate the good that God has shown us and I pray that you look with hope at the beauty and good that is to come.
Thank you friends, and God bless you.
Pastor Danielle on behalf of the COVID Response Team & Mt. Zion Church Council
Updated: January 7, 2021
Hello Mt. Zion Family. Over the last 10 months, as I have been praying, I have found the words of Isaiah 43, verse 2 on my lips almost constantly “when you pass through the waters, it says, I will be with you.” Repeating this verse has become a prayer of comfort to me — when I breath in, I say “when I pass through the waters.” And as I breath out, I say, “God will be with me.” These words, a constant comfort and reminder that in these difficult times — God is faithful. God is present.
I know the events of yesterday have each of us shaken. We are each aware of just how fragile we are as a country—and yet we have also been made aware of what strength also remains. As together we pass through these waters, may we also be assured of God’s enduring presence.
In addition to the events of yesterday, we are also holding the continued difficulty and challenge of enduring a pandemic and its impact on our country and world, and more locally, our families, our hospitals, our community. The very real cost of this disease is being felt so acutely. It is in the midst of those realities that the COVID Response Team, along with Church Council have voted to continue the suspension of in person worship through March 7th, recognizing once again that we want to support our healthcare professionals who have shared the very real strain on our community healthcare system. In addition to the continued suspension of in person worship, we will also continue to limit any in person church activities or gatherings to 10 people. We trust that you understand the difficulty in making these decisions, and we trust that you know that they come from a place of genuine care and concern for the safety of everyone. We know this is hard, and we know that together, we can continue to walk this path.
We are also assured that this will not last forever. We praise God for the expertise, wisdom and resources that have gone into the vaccine and we look forward with hope as more and more people are able to receive the vaccine. We thank God for all those who are working to keep our communities safe and functioning — first responders, healthcare professionals, support staff, grocery store workers, delivery drivers, custodians, teachers — the list goes on and on. We consider it our work as a church to partner with these heroic efforts by not contributing to the spread of the virus, as best we are able.
Over the next two months, the COVID Response Team, in conversation with Church Council will be looking at how and when and what criteria we might use to begin regathering as a church family for in person worship and other events and activities. It is our hope that when we next update you, in early March, we will have more information about next steps.
In the meantime — THANK YOU for your support. Thank you for participating in worship, in zoom events and activities. Thank you for calling one another and sending cards. Thank you for your continued generosity to our church and its ministries. What a beautiful gift it is to be able to say, in this time of difficulty that we have truly been the church that God is calling us to be. We look forward to continuing to serve and grow and discern together.
In closing, I have a new breath prayer for you — one that expresses the courage and hope that is needed for these days —from Psalm 31, verse 24: Be strong. Take heart.
Be strong and take heart, Mt. Zion. We are on this journey together. God bless you.
Hello Mt. Zion Family. Over the last 10 months, as I have been praying, I have found the words of Isaiah 43, verse 2 on my lips almost constantly “when you pass through the waters, it says, I will be with you.” Repeating this verse has become a prayer of comfort to me — when I breath in, I say “when I pass through the waters.” And as I breath out, I say, “God will be with me.” These words, a constant comfort and reminder that in these difficult times — God is faithful. God is present.
I know the events of yesterday have each of us shaken. We are each aware of just how fragile we are as a country—and yet we have also been made aware of what strength also remains. As together we pass through these waters, may we also be assured of God’s enduring presence.
In addition to the events of yesterday, we are also holding the continued difficulty and challenge of enduring a pandemic and its impact on our country and world, and more locally, our families, our hospitals, our community. The very real cost of this disease is being felt so acutely. It is in the midst of those realities that the COVID Response Team, along with Church Council have voted to continue the suspension of in person worship through March 7th, recognizing once again that we want to support our healthcare professionals who have shared the very real strain on our community healthcare system. In addition to the continued suspension of in person worship, we will also continue to limit any in person church activities or gatherings to 10 people. We trust that you understand the difficulty in making these decisions, and we trust that you know that they come from a place of genuine care and concern for the safety of everyone. We know this is hard, and we know that together, we can continue to walk this path.
We are also assured that this will not last forever. We praise God for the expertise, wisdom and resources that have gone into the vaccine and we look forward with hope as more and more people are able to receive the vaccine. We thank God for all those who are working to keep our communities safe and functioning — first responders, healthcare professionals, support staff, grocery store workers, delivery drivers, custodians, teachers — the list goes on and on. We consider it our work as a church to partner with these heroic efforts by not contributing to the spread of the virus, as best we are able.
Over the next two months, the COVID Response Team, in conversation with Church Council will be looking at how and when and what criteria we might use to begin regathering as a church family for in person worship and other events and activities. It is our hope that when we next update you, in early March, we will have more information about next steps.
In the meantime — THANK YOU for your support. Thank you for participating in worship, in zoom events and activities. Thank you for calling one another and sending cards. Thank you for your continued generosity to our church and its ministries. What a beautiful gift it is to be able to say, in this time of difficulty that we have truly been the church that God is calling us to be. We look forward to continuing to serve and grow and discern together.
In closing, I have a new breath prayer for you — one that expresses the courage and hope that is needed for these days —from Psalm 31, verse 24: Be strong. Take heart.
Be strong and take heart, Mt. Zion. We are on this journey together. God bless you.
Update: November 24, 2020
Dear Mt. Zion Family,
The first chapter in the book of James says this, “My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” It goes on to talk about seeking wisdom and discernment from God.
We have certainly been in a time of trial and difficulty. We know that the stress of the last eight months weighs heavy. And yet we are reminded in scripture that even in the midst of hardship, we can find joy — because joy comes from God. Certainly, this Thanksgiving, though there is trial, there is also occasion for joy — for thanksgiving. For God’s love and faithfulness remain with us.
The staff, COVID response team, and church council have been in discernment, seeking God’s wisdom around what is best regarding our gathering as a church family for in-person worship and beyond. I am coming to you today to share that as of this Sunday, November 29th, we will be moving back to worship that is online only, led by the staff and a few volunteers from our church sanctuary. From now at least until January 10th, we will not be hosting in-person worship. We have also concluded that it is best, at this time, to limit all gatherings at church, whether for volunteering or groups meeting, to 10 people.
We have been so blessed at Mt. Zion by the hard work of the Response Team, the Regathering Team, and all the volunteers, including the welcome teams & tech teams, who have taken great care in creating and implementing the safety protocols for us to be able to gather for in-person worship for the last few months. Even with these precautions, we have always said that we would remain flexible, engaged in ongoing discernment as to whether or not we continue to meet in-person, based on the status of the pandemic.
Though we do believe that the safety precautions we put in place are good, we also believe that we are responsible not just for the one hour we gather on Sundays, but also for the ways that we respond to the realities of our community. The recommendation to suspend in-person worship through January 10th is not the result of anything done “wrong” at Mt. Zion, but rather as a proactive measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We believe that as a society, the difficult task of moving in the right direction with the pandemic takes the collective and individual efforts of all of us, reflecting our love of God, ourselves, and our neighbor. We endeavor, during these difficult times, to ground our decisions and actions based not on what is most comfortable for us, but what is best for the collective. Based on the information that we have regarding the dramatically increased cases of COVID, we believe now is a critical time when we can be an example of those commitments.
At this time, our plan as a COVID response team is to reconvene on January 5th to make recommendations to church council regarding worship and events beyond January 10th. At that time, we will have a better understanding of whether or not the York County numbers have continued to increase, decrease, or stay the same, and should know more about a potential timeline for the release of the vaccine. Please know, these decisions are not taken lightly.
We know that Advent and Christmas are deeply important to this family of faith (and to us!) — and yet once again, we can, as the scripture says, find in this trial an opportunity for joy — we are so fortunate to have the technology to be able to continue to offer quality, meaningful worship online and we are grateful for the many ways that we can support one another during this season.
We know how important Christmas Eve is to each of you and we are putting together a very special service that will be pre-recorded and streamed at 7 PM with much participation through recorded contributions from Mt Zion members. We hope to still offer outdoor in-person services at 3 PM and 5 PM but will be reassessing the format and logistics of these services to determine if they will go on as planned. There are several factors to consider, but we are committed to carefully discerning and doing all we can to bring meaningful worship this Advent season wherever and however we gather.
Friends, it is not easy to make these difficult choices — and yet in these times, I want us all, as best we are able, to use this time not to focus on all that is wrong, but instead, to focus on what occasions for joy we see in front of us. I want you to know that it is an occasion for joy that we serve such a loving God, that we share together in a loving church family, and we have the promise of grace eternal from our savior, Jesus Christ. Please know that myself and Pastor Stephanie are available should you need support. We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and we pray God’s blessings to be with you. Be safe and be well.
Peace,
Pastor Danielle
Dear Mt. Zion Family,
The first chapter in the book of James says this, “My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” It goes on to talk about seeking wisdom and discernment from God.
We have certainly been in a time of trial and difficulty. We know that the stress of the last eight months weighs heavy. And yet we are reminded in scripture that even in the midst of hardship, we can find joy — because joy comes from God. Certainly, this Thanksgiving, though there is trial, there is also occasion for joy — for thanksgiving. For God’s love and faithfulness remain with us.
The staff, COVID response team, and church council have been in discernment, seeking God’s wisdom around what is best regarding our gathering as a church family for in-person worship and beyond. I am coming to you today to share that as of this Sunday, November 29th, we will be moving back to worship that is online only, led by the staff and a few volunteers from our church sanctuary. From now at least until January 10th, we will not be hosting in-person worship. We have also concluded that it is best, at this time, to limit all gatherings at church, whether for volunteering or groups meeting, to 10 people.
We have been so blessed at Mt. Zion by the hard work of the Response Team, the Regathering Team, and all the volunteers, including the welcome teams & tech teams, who have taken great care in creating and implementing the safety protocols for us to be able to gather for in-person worship for the last few months. Even with these precautions, we have always said that we would remain flexible, engaged in ongoing discernment as to whether or not we continue to meet in-person, based on the status of the pandemic.
Though we do believe that the safety precautions we put in place are good, we also believe that we are responsible not just for the one hour we gather on Sundays, but also for the ways that we respond to the realities of our community. The recommendation to suspend in-person worship through January 10th is not the result of anything done “wrong” at Mt. Zion, but rather as a proactive measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We believe that as a society, the difficult task of moving in the right direction with the pandemic takes the collective and individual efforts of all of us, reflecting our love of God, ourselves, and our neighbor. We endeavor, during these difficult times, to ground our decisions and actions based not on what is most comfortable for us, but what is best for the collective. Based on the information that we have regarding the dramatically increased cases of COVID, we believe now is a critical time when we can be an example of those commitments.
At this time, our plan as a COVID response team is to reconvene on January 5th to make recommendations to church council regarding worship and events beyond January 10th. At that time, we will have a better understanding of whether or not the York County numbers have continued to increase, decrease, or stay the same, and should know more about a potential timeline for the release of the vaccine. Please know, these decisions are not taken lightly.
We know that Advent and Christmas are deeply important to this family of faith (and to us!) — and yet once again, we can, as the scripture says, find in this trial an opportunity for joy — we are so fortunate to have the technology to be able to continue to offer quality, meaningful worship online and we are grateful for the many ways that we can support one another during this season.
We know how important Christmas Eve is to each of you and we are putting together a very special service that will be pre-recorded and streamed at 7 PM with much participation through recorded contributions from Mt Zion members. We hope to still offer outdoor in-person services at 3 PM and 5 PM but will be reassessing the format and logistics of these services to determine if they will go on as planned. There are several factors to consider, but we are committed to carefully discerning and doing all we can to bring meaningful worship this Advent season wherever and however we gather.
Friends, it is not easy to make these difficult choices — and yet in these times, I want us all, as best we are able, to use this time not to focus on all that is wrong, but instead, to focus on what occasions for joy we see in front of us. I want you to know that it is an occasion for joy that we serve such a loving God, that we share together in a loving church family, and we have the promise of grace eternal from our savior, Jesus Christ. Please know that myself and Pastor Stephanie are available should you need support. We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and we pray God’s blessings to be with you. Be safe and be well.
Peace,
Pastor Danielle
Mt. Zion UCC Covenant of Care
Whatever the Church does in its gatherings and other ministries expresses our understanding of who God is, what it means to be disciples of Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses to what God intends for the world. In times of crisis, when we must address new and challenging practical concerns, our basic theological convictions still apply: love of God and neighbor; regard for human bodies and fellowship; worship and sacraments; inclusive hospitality that welcomes all and avoids stigmatizing others; and the beauty of God, the world, and human creativity.
As an individual who attends Mt. Zion UCC, and as a follower of Jesus Christ committed to God’s call to love my neighbors and to care for the most vulnerable among us, I covenant with my fellow church members, family, and friends to keep our community safe and healthy.
I covenant to...
Whatever the Church does in its gatherings and other ministries expresses our understanding of who God is, what it means to be disciples of Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses to what God intends for the world. In times of crisis, when we must address new and challenging practical concerns, our basic theological convictions still apply: love of God and neighbor; regard for human bodies and fellowship; worship and sacraments; inclusive hospitality that welcomes all and avoids stigmatizing others; and the beauty of God, the world, and human creativity.
As an individual who attends Mt. Zion UCC, and as a follower of Jesus Christ committed to God’s call to love my neighbors and to care for the most vulnerable among us, I covenant with my fellow church members, family, and friends to keep our community safe and healthy.
I covenant to...
- Wear a face mask as a symbol of love and care for others.
- Sit six feet apart from others outside of my seating group, leaving room for God to work in the in-between spaces.
- Clean up after myself in the spaces I use, because like Jesus, germs are everywhere I go, too.
- Honor and respect the sacredness of each person in this space and to stay home if I don’t feel well, knowing God is with us wherever we are, whether inside or outside the walls of the church.
- Work together with my church family in creating a safe and healthy space to worship as one body, united in God’s love, acknowledging the hard work ahead, and the commitment to care for one another.
- Contact one of the pastors directly if I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 after having participated in in-person worship.
| covenant_of_care.pdf |
Update: October 6, 2020
Hello, Mt. Zion! In his letter to the church at Galatia, Paul reminds the people, “Let us not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
It was almost seven months ago that I came to you with our first video update regarding church operations in light of COVID-19. I know these seven months have not been easy, and we certainly did not anticipate that this pandemic would still be going on. And yet, despite this season of challenge, I have been heartened by how you have continued to work for the benefit of all as Paul says. Though you have been tired, you have not tired of doing the good that Paul talks about. You are a faithful people and I thank God for you and I ask that you continue to keep the faith.
In early August, with the recommendations and hard work of the COVID response team, the regathering team, and church council, we resumed in-person worship at the 8 AM service while continuing to live stream our 10:30 service. Since that time, we have practiced the procedures and protocols put in place and have experienced meaningful worship at both services. We also promised that we would continue to seek ways to progress, when possible, and most recently we did a survey that asked about your intentions for worship attendance in October and November.
We learned that 59% of you would like to continue to worship online only. We also learned 41% of you would like to attend in person worship, particularly if it is offered at 10:30 AM. We honor and value the decisions that you are making for your family’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
The COVID Response team met last week and made recommendations to church council, which they approved. We are pleased to share that on October 18th, we will once again offer in-person worship at 10:30 AM here at Mt. Zion, while also continue to live stream that same service. For the time being, we will be temporarily discontinuing our 8 AM service, so that staff and volunteer resources can be fully focused on providing worship and all the variables this entails, at the 10:30 service.
Worship will look very similar to how it looks now — there will be responsive liturgy, scripture, a children’s message, a sermon, and there will be a quartet providing music. There will continue to be some ways that it is different. If you attend in person, our seating will be distanced and we will still require pre-registration and the use of masks. We do this to honor the safety of all of our members and to help our staff and volunteers plan. Seating will be in the sanctuary, with overflow seating, based on our reduced capacity, down in the fellowship hall. At this time, we will still not be offering nursery care or WOW kids, but as always, we welcome and frankly, love the participation of children. We will continue to enjoy the beautiful hymns and anthems as sung by the quartet, but as a congregation we will not be singing. The information that we have around group singing and the spread of COVID, particularly in an indoor setting, suggests that at this time, we hold off on singing as a congregation — and yet we still firmly believe in the power of music as an expression of faith and praise.
Beyond worship, you will notice that we have continued to think creatively about how we can gather for fellowship events — offering both virtual and in-person opportunities so that each of you can participate. I also want to say a special thank you to those who have been making care calls to our members and those who have written devotionals for our daily devotional — what a tremendous ministry you all have been a part of! If there is anyone else who would like to help out in this way, please contact me or Travis and we'll get your started.
Finally, I want to echo again the words of Paul — let us not get fatigued doing good and let us continue to work for the benefit of all. Because of your steadfast commitment, we remain a vibrant and strong congregation. I am grateful for you and I am so proud of the way that you have endured during this difficult time. I can truly feel that as a church family, we are connected and we are committed to our faith in God and our work as God’s people.
As always, Mt. Zion — if you need support, please don’t hesitate to be in touch and if you have questions, you are welcome to reach out to me or any member of the COVID response team. Thank you and God bless you!
Pastor Danielle
Hello, Mt. Zion! In his letter to the church at Galatia, Paul reminds the people, “Let us not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
It was almost seven months ago that I came to you with our first video update regarding church operations in light of COVID-19. I know these seven months have not been easy, and we certainly did not anticipate that this pandemic would still be going on. And yet, despite this season of challenge, I have been heartened by how you have continued to work for the benefit of all as Paul says. Though you have been tired, you have not tired of doing the good that Paul talks about. You are a faithful people and I thank God for you and I ask that you continue to keep the faith.
In early August, with the recommendations and hard work of the COVID response team, the regathering team, and church council, we resumed in-person worship at the 8 AM service while continuing to live stream our 10:30 service. Since that time, we have practiced the procedures and protocols put in place and have experienced meaningful worship at both services. We also promised that we would continue to seek ways to progress, when possible, and most recently we did a survey that asked about your intentions for worship attendance in October and November.
We learned that 59% of you would like to continue to worship online only. We also learned 41% of you would like to attend in person worship, particularly if it is offered at 10:30 AM. We honor and value the decisions that you are making for your family’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
The COVID Response team met last week and made recommendations to church council, which they approved. We are pleased to share that on October 18th, we will once again offer in-person worship at 10:30 AM here at Mt. Zion, while also continue to live stream that same service. For the time being, we will be temporarily discontinuing our 8 AM service, so that staff and volunteer resources can be fully focused on providing worship and all the variables this entails, at the 10:30 service.
Worship will look very similar to how it looks now — there will be responsive liturgy, scripture, a children’s message, a sermon, and there will be a quartet providing music. There will continue to be some ways that it is different. If you attend in person, our seating will be distanced and we will still require pre-registration and the use of masks. We do this to honor the safety of all of our members and to help our staff and volunteers plan. Seating will be in the sanctuary, with overflow seating, based on our reduced capacity, down in the fellowship hall. At this time, we will still not be offering nursery care or WOW kids, but as always, we welcome and frankly, love the participation of children. We will continue to enjoy the beautiful hymns and anthems as sung by the quartet, but as a congregation we will not be singing. The information that we have around group singing and the spread of COVID, particularly in an indoor setting, suggests that at this time, we hold off on singing as a congregation — and yet we still firmly believe in the power of music as an expression of faith and praise.
Beyond worship, you will notice that we have continued to think creatively about how we can gather for fellowship events — offering both virtual and in-person opportunities so that each of you can participate. I also want to say a special thank you to those who have been making care calls to our members and those who have written devotionals for our daily devotional — what a tremendous ministry you all have been a part of! If there is anyone else who would like to help out in this way, please contact me or Travis and we'll get your started.
Finally, I want to echo again the words of Paul — let us not get fatigued doing good and let us continue to work for the benefit of all. Because of your steadfast commitment, we remain a vibrant and strong congregation. I am grateful for you and I am so proud of the way that you have endured during this difficult time. I can truly feel that as a church family, we are connected and we are committed to our faith in God and our work as God’s people.
As always, Mt. Zion — if you need support, please don’t hesitate to be in touch and if you have questions, you are welcome to reach out to me or any member of the COVID response team. Thank you and God bless you!
Pastor Danielle
Update: June 26, 2020
Hello, Mt. Zion Family! I come to you again with an update on behalf of church council, the COVID response team and the regathering team. When we updated you in May, we named that as Pennsylvania began to reopen, we would remain committed to a faithful progression towards in-person gatherings with our church family. To that end, we had our first in-person Faith in the Field service this past Wednesday evening- it was wonderful to be together and we look forward to welcoming more of you in the coming weeks. As a reminder, you can find the signup sheet for Faith in the Field on the Facebook page or by calling the church office.
Over the last few weeks, our Regathering Team has had several meetings to look into what protocols and procedures are needed to resume in-person worship on Sunday mornings. We are pleased to share that beginning August 2, we will be offering an in-person service at 8 AM. In order to follow social distancing recommendations, this service will be reduced capacity. In order to participate in the service, you will need to sign up ahead of time and upon signing up, you will be asked to agree to a covenant that outlines how we can gather most safely. In addition to the 8 AM service, we will continue to offer a quality, online service at 10:30 AM.
The 8 AM service will be different in format. After much research regarding best practices and recommendations from health officials and ecumenical church organizations, the Regathering Team, the Response Team, and Church Council have agreed that for now, the 8 AM service will be reduced capacity, will be abbreviated in length (30-45 minutes), and will involve instrumental music, but not singing and all participants will be masked with the exception of staff when they are leading aspects of worship. Despite these differences, we believe that worship will be meaningful, uplifting, and most importantly, provide the opportunity to gather together to worship God within our beloved sanctuary.
The 10:30 service will remain a “full” online worship service—with all aspects of liturgy incorporated, including singing. We hope that you will choose whichever worship experience will best meet your needs.
Friends, this has been a long road. Over the last few months, we have affirmed what a strong faith family we really are, and we have been so blessed by your faithfulness and your encouragement. Thank you! As this journey continues, please know that we will be continually evaluating when and how we can increase capacity, how to best care for each of our members, and more. We remain committed to faithful progress, utilizing the information available to us and holding dear our commitment to love God and love one another. In the coming days, stay tuned on Facebook, in the daily devotional and in the e-spirit for more information about the plans that are in place, what you can expect, and how to sign up. Thank you, friends, and God bless you.
Hello, Mt. Zion Family! I come to you again with an update on behalf of church council, the COVID response team and the regathering team. When we updated you in May, we named that as Pennsylvania began to reopen, we would remain committed to a faithful progression towards in-person gatherings with our church family. To that end, we had our first in-person Faith in the Field service this past Wednesday evening- it was wonderful to be together and we look forward to welcoming more of you in the coming weeks. As a reminder, you can find the signup sheet for Faith in the Field on the Facebook page or by calling the church office.
Over the last few weeks, our Regathering Team has had several meetings to look into what protocols and procedures are needed to resume in-person worship on Sunday mornings. We are pleased to share that beginning August 2, we will be offering an in-person service at 8 AM. In order to follow social distancing recommendations, this service will be reduced capacity. In order to participate in the service, you will need to sign up ahead of time and upon signing up, you will be asked to agree to a covenant that outlines how we can gather most safely. In addition to the 8 AM service, we will continue to offer a quality, online service at 10:30 AM.
The 8 AM service will be different in format. After much research regarding best practices and recommendations from health officials and ecumenical church organizations, the Regathering Team, the Response Team, and Church Council have agreed that for now, the 8 AM service will be reduced capacity, will be abbreviated in length (30-45 minutes), and will involve instrumental music, but not singing and all participants will be masked with the exception of staff when they are leading aspects of worship. Despite these differences, we believe that worship will be meaningful, uplifting, and most importantly, provide the opportunity to gather together to worship God within our beloved sanctuary.
The 10:30 service will remain a “full” online worship service—with all aspects of liturgy incorporated, including singing. We hope that you will choose whichever worship experience will best meet your needs.
Friends, this has been a long road. Over the last few months, we have affirmed what a strong faith family we really are, and we have been so blessed by your faithfulness and your encouragement. Thank you! As this journey continues, please know that we will be continually evaluating when and how we can increase capacity, how to best care for each of our members, and more. We remain committed to faithful progress, utilizing the information available to us and holding dear our commitment to love God and love one another. In the coming days, stay tuned on Facebook, in the daily devotional and in the e-spirit for more information about the plans that are in place, what you can expect, and how to sign up. Thank you, friends, and God bless you.
Update: June 5, 2020
Good afternoon, Mt. Zion! Since my last announcement to you on May 22nd, we have been delighted to make further steps in our faithful progression to regathering as a congregation. Our staff have resumed office hours in our church building and a staff person is in the building at least 4 days a week. We have also been delighted to resume leading worship within the sanctuary and we know that that has brought you joy as well! We have also continued with Pastors on the Porch, and our pastors have been able to resume some visitation when circumstances allow. This past week, we also opened our sanctuary two days for Solace in the Sanctuary, a time when you can find a quiet space in the sanctuary to reflect and pray. It gives us such joy to make these faithful steps and we look forward to continuing all of these things in the coming weeks.
The Response Team met earlier this week, and we are excited to share with you that beginning Wednesday, June 24th at 7 PM, we will have an outdoor worship gathering in the field adjacent to the building. These worship services will be similar to our Lenten services in that we will have time for prayer, time for discussion and time to listen to musical offerings. These gatherings will be available by sign up and at this time, will be limited to 25 people. The good news is that we will be having this Wednesday evening service on a weekly basis through the end of July. You can expect details about the service and how to sign up to be coming out next week. We are looking forward to taking yet another step towards our regathering in person as a congregation.
As we look towards the eventual resumption of worship within the sanctuary, there are many things to consider. Over the last few months we have a learned a lot about COVID and what factors increase risk and what we can do to mitigate that risk. At this time, we are seeking a team of volunteers to form a Regathering Team. The Regathering Team will be focused on coming up with the protocols and procedures, the nuts and bolts, if you will, of how we can most safely gather when it is time. If you would be interested in serving on the Regathering Team, I invite you to contact myself or Pastor Jeff by Friday, June 12th. It is our hope that the regathering team can begin meeting immediately so that when the time comes for our congregational reunion, we have the procedures in place that are needed. Again, if you would be interested in serving, please contact myself or Pastor Jeff by June 12th.
These are all the announcements I have for today, my friends. Our next response team meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd. Our next council meeting is scheduled for June 25th, and you can expect another announcement from me on June 26th that will continue to update you on the plans going forward. If you have suggestions or input or encouragement that you would like to offer, I encourage you to reach out to myself, Pastor Jeff, or John Schriver or Sandy King. Thank you again for all of your encouragement, your faithfulness, and your endurance. We are honored to be part of such a loving, creative and faithful church family.
God bless you,
Pastor Danielle
Good afternoon, Mt. Zion! Since my last announcement to you on May 22nd, we have been delighted to make further steps in our faithful progression to regathering as a congregation. Our staff have resumed office hours in our church building and a staff person is in the building at least 4 days a week. We have also been delighted to resume leading worship within the sanctuary and we know that that has brought you joy as well! We have also continued with Pastors on the Porch, and our pastors have been able to resume some visitation when circumstances allow. This past week, we also opened our sanctuary two days for Solace in the Sanctuary, a time when you can find a quiet space in the sanctuary to reflect and pray. It gives us such joy to make these faithful steps and we look forward to continuing all of these things in the coming weeks.
The Response Team met earlier this week, and we are excited to share with you that beginning Wednesday, June 24th at 7 PM, we will have an outdoor worship gathering in the field adjacent to the building. These worship services will be similar to our Lenten services in that we will have time for prayer, time for discussion and time to listen to musical offerings. These gatherings will be available by sign up and at this time, will be limited to 25 people. The good news is that we will be having this Wednesday evening service on a weekly basis through the end of July. You can expect details about the service and how to sign up to be coming out next week. We are looking forward to taking yet another step towards our regathering in person as a congregation.
As we look towards the eventual resumption of worship within the sanctuary, there are many things to consider. Over the last few months we have a learned a lot about COVID and what factors increase risk and what we can do to mitigate that risk. At this time, we are seeking a team of volunteers to form a Regathering Team. The Regathering Team will be focused on coming up with the protocols and procedures, the nuts and bolts, if you will, of how we can most safely gather when it is time. If you would be interested in serving on the Regathering Team, I invite you to contact myself or Pastor Jeff by Friday, June 12th. It is our hope that the regathering team can begin meeting immediately so that when the time comes for our congregational reunion, we have the procedures in place that are needed. Again, if you would be interested in serving, please contact myself or Pastor Jeff by June 12th.
These are all the announcements I have for today, my friends. Our next response team meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd. Our next council meeting is scheduled for June 25th, and you can expect another announcement from me on June 26th that will continue to update you on the plans going forward. If you have suggestions or input or encouragement that you would like to offer, I encourage you to reach out to myself, Pastor Jeff, or John Schriver or Sandy King. Thank you again for all of your encouragement, your faithfulness, and your endurance. We are honored to be part of such a loving, creative and faithful church family.
God bless you,
Pastor Danielle
Update: May 22, 2020
“God did not give us a spirit that is timid, but one that is powerful, loving and self-controlled.” ~2 Timothy 1:7 (Common English Bible)
My Dear Mt. Zion Family,
There have been times throughout this pandemic and the resulting social distancing that I have found myself feeling sad, frustrated and uncertain. There have been times when I have looked ahead and been unsure of what the way forward is. Few things have come easy during this time- each offering that we bring you is done so with great care and effort. Though few things have been easy- two things that are always easy are loving you and loving God. When I find myself getting discouraged and feeling helpless, I remind myself of the compass that we have in Christ Jesus, whose ministry among us provides an example of living with an attitude of compassion, self-sacrifice and love.
As York County begins to transition to the “yellow” phase of reopening, the Mt. Zion Response Team (John Schriver, Sandy King, Bob Katherman, Dr. Scott McCracken and staff), Church Council and Staff are committed to a faithful progression towards the reintegration of in-person gatherings.
The decisions we present to you today are focused first and foremost on the health and safety of all our members. We believe that in the coming weeks and months there is ample opportunity to increase our in-person gatherings; and we hold these opportunities in conversation with the prevailing wisdom and tradition of Mt. Zion for thoughtful, deliberate and measured action, particularly as we observe how reopening impacts the rates of infection within York County. As you read/listen to the plans in place, we invite you to join us in our excitement as we focus on what we CAN do as a church family. In making these decisions, we recall the words of scripture, 2nd Timothy 1:7, “God did not give us a spirit that is timid, but one that is powerful, loving and self-controlled.”
Out of great care for our congregation and the ministries that we hold precious, I share with you the following updates regarding church operations from now through Labor Day, understanding that if and when the conversation needs to be revisited, it can and will be.
Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, we will…
Friends, we know that these are challenging ways to do church. We know that online connection does not replace face-to-face interaction. We know this, and yet we also know that this is temporary and together, we can do hard things. We can do this thing, for the good of community, because it places the safety and inclusion of many, including those most vulnerable, over the preferences of the few and the healthy. It is difficult, and yet we know, the body of Christ is stronger when we join together in striving “for things that bring peace and the things that build each other up” (Romans 14:19).
There are many resources that went into our decision to suspend in-person worship through Labor Day, including the wisdom of public health officials, state and federal guidelines, and the research around COVID-19 and recommendations set forth by our Penn Central Conference and the Council of Churches. We invite you to review the data that informed these decisions so that you can understand the numerous factors that bear consideration. Those links can be found at the bottom of this announcement. If you would like to provide feedback or encouragement to the response team or church council, you are invited to be in communication with our moderator and vice moderator (John Schriver and Sandy King) or Pastor Danielle and Pastor Jeff.
Friends, on behalf of church council, the response team and church staff, I want to thank you for your continued support, your willingness to try new things, and your endurance as we run this race. We hope that you will be encouraged and strengthened by the ministry that Christ is doing through Mt. Zion, and we look forward to continuing to be the body of Christ together! May God bless you and may you be a blessing.
Pastor Danielle
Resources & Research:
https://www.pachurches.org/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/
https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/
https://mtzionchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/pastordani_mtzionucc_org/EY-n-qlC_mJAhV073daZ6i8BnEpx3e1OxhStzKFdSxuPtA?e=e6QpdY
https://mtzionchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/pastordani_mtzionucc_org/ESLmUDFLtw1FnpfP2WF6MxEBSQ5o_VrFyxCsbF5_mDUpYQ?e=tG8yKp
https://mtzionchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/pastordani_mtzionucc_org/EmM9Aicglb5Pn_JoeUgRhbMBcguWUTuXYnekOQwOWbYqMw?e=2wPUzX
https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/
https://www.cdc.gov/
“God did not give us a spirit that is timid, but one that is powerful, loving and self-controlled.” ~2 Timothy 1:7 (Common English Bible)
My Dear Mt. Zion Family,
There have been times throughout this pandemic and the resulting social distancing that I have found myself feeling sad, frustrated and uncertain. There have been times when I have looked ahead and been unsure of what the way forward is. Few things have come easy during this time- each offering that we bring you is done so with great care and effort. Though few things have been easy- two things that are always easy are loving you and loving God. When I find myself getting discouraged and feeling helpless, I remind myself of the compass that we have in Christ Jesus, whose ministry among us provides an example of living with an attitude of compassion, self-sacrifice and love.
As York County begins to transition to the “yellow” phase of reopening, the Mt. Zion Response Team (John Schriver, Sandy King, Bob Katherman, Dr. Scott McCracken and staff), Church Council and Staff are committed to a faithful progression towards the reintegration of in-person gatherings.
The decisions we present to you today are focused first and foremost on the health and safety of all our members. We believe that in the coming weeks and months there is ample opportunity to increase our in-person gatherings; and we hold these opportunities in conversation with the prevailing wisdom and tradition of Mt. Zion for thoughtful, deliberate and measured action, particularly as we observe how reopening impacts the rates of infection within York County. As you read/listen to the plans in place, we invite you to join us in our excitement as we focus on what we CAN do as a church family. In making these decisions, we recall the words of scripture, 2nd Timothy 1:7, “God did not give us a spirit that is timid, but one that is powerful, loving and self-controlled.”
Out of great care for our congregation and the ministries that we hold precious, I share with you the following updates regarding church operations from now through Labor Day, understanding that if and when the conversation needs to be revisited, it can and will be.
Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, we will…
- resume office hours within the church building. A member of the staff will be present in the building at least 4 days a week. Please call to make an appointment if you wish to stop by the church. We ask that you please wear a mask to protect those with whom you will share the space, should you stop by.
- open the sanctuary for you to stop by and pray. This will be during publicized times, and with 2-3 people in the sanctuary at a time, physically distanced. We ask that you wear a mask and wipes will be provided so that after using the space, you can wipe down the area where you were seated.
- begin planning small group in-person gatherings, including discussion groups and outdoor prayer services.
- stream our worship services with staff inside the sanctuary on Sunday mornings.
- resume in-person pastoral visitation on a limited basis to people who desire a visit. These visits will be abbreviated, and will employ the use of masks and social distancing. At this time, hospitals and nursing homes are not permitting visitors.
- continue to pause in person worship through Labor Day, while offering quality online worship services.
- continue to offer daily devotionals and daily live check-ins and pre-recorded videos with pastors, staff, and volunteers. You can connect to these opportunities via our website (mtzionucc.org), our facebook page or our youtube channel. To sign up for the daily devotional, please email office@mtzionucc.org
- continue to offer in-person connection opportunities with our pastors such as Pastors on the Porch.
Friends, we know that these are challenging ways to do church. We know that online connection does not replace face-to-face interaction. We know this, and yet we also know that this is temporary and together, we can do hard things. We can do this thing, for the good of community, because it places the safety and inclusion of many, including those most vulnerable, over the preferences of the few and the healthy. It is difficult, and yet we know, the body of Christ is stronger when we join together in striving “for things that bring peace and the things that build each other up” (Romans 14:19).
There are many resources that went into our decision to suspend in-person worship through Labor Day, including the wisdom of public health officials, state and federal guidelines, and the research around COVID-19 and recommendations set forth by our Penn Central Conference and the Council of Churches. We invite you to review the data that informed these decisions so that you can understand the numerous factors that bear consideration. Those links can be found at the bottom of this announcement. If you would like to provide feedback or encouragement to the response team or church council, you are invited to be in communication with our moderator and vice moderator (John Schriver and Sandy King) or Pastor Danielle and Pastor Jeff.
Friends, on behalf of church council, the response team and church staff, I want to thank you for your continued support, your willingness to try new things, and your endurance as we run this race. We hope that you will be encouraged and strengthened by the ministry that Christ is doing through Mt. Zion, and we look forward to continuing to be the body of Christ together! May God bless you and may you be a blessing.
Pastor Danielle
Resources & Research:
https://www.pachurches.org/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/
https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/
https://mtzionchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/pastordani_mtzionucc_org/EY-n-qlC_mJAhV073daZ6i8BnEpx3e1OxhStzKFdSxuPtA?e=e6QpdY
https://mtzionchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/pastordani_mtzionucc_org/ESLmUDFLtw1FnpfP2WF6MxEBSQ5o_VrFyxCsbF5_mDUpYQ?e=tG8yKp
https://mtzionchurch-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/pastordani_mtzionucc_org/EmM9Aicglb5Pn_JoeUgRhbMBcguWUTuXYnekOQwOWbYqMw?e=2wPUzX
https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/
https://www.cdc.gov/
Update: May 8, 2020
Hello, Mt. Zion! Two weeks ago, I brought you the announcement that the response team and church council had unanimously voted to suspend in person gatherings through the end of May. I also noted that we would be providing updates every two weeks, in case the situation changed or further information needed to be communicated. We want to be sure that you feel informed of where we are at and what the plans are moving forward. If you have questions or suggestions that you would like to offer the response team, you are invited to email us in the church office at office@mtzionucc.org or by calling Pastor Danielle, Pastor Jeff, or your moderator John Schriver or vice moderator, Sandy King.
Since our update two weeks ago, very little has changed. Though the Governor has moved some areas of our state into the yellow zone, we know that York County has not yet made that list. We also know that even in the yellow zone, gatherings over 25 people will not be considered safe. As a staff, response team, and church council, we continue to monitor the recommendations coming forth from public health and government officials and we are prayerfully considering what options are available. We are also thinking creatively about what a slow reintroduction to in-person community might look like. We do still maintain that this will not happen all at once, but rather, will be a slow but intentional process.
For right now, we hope that you are continuing to find meaning in our online worship services, our daily connection points, and the devotions that are making their way to your inbox everyday. We hope that you continue to connect with one another via phone. We are excited to share that starting next week, myself and Pastor Jeff will be starting “Pastors on the Porch”—a once a week office hours, that one of us will do from the porch, weather permitting. So, on Wednesday, May 13th, from 2-3:30, I invite you to drop by the church—pull in the circular driveway. I’ll be on the front porch in my lawn chair ready to greet you. Please stay in your car, so that we can continue to honor social distancing—but drop by and we can chat for a few minutes. Again, I’ll be on the church porch on Wednesday, May 13th from 2-3:30 and I’d love to see you!
That’s all the updates I have for now, friends. On behalf of the response team and church council and all your Mt. Zion staff, I want to thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support, and your commitment to our church. We are grateful. Be well, friends—and be a blessing.
Pastor Danielle
Hello, Mt. Zion! Two weeks ago, I brought you the announcement that the response team and church council had unanimously voted to suspend in person gatherings through the end of May. I also noted that we would be providing updates every two weeks, in case the situation changed or further information needed to be communicated. We want to be sure that you feel informed of where we are at and what the plans are moving forward. If you have questions or suggestions that you would like to offer the response team, you are invited to email us in the church office at office@mtzionucc.org or by calling Pastor Danielle, Pastor Jeff, or your moderator John Schriver or vice moderator, Sandy King.
Since our update two weeks ago, very little has changed. Though the Governor has moved some areas of our state into the yellow zone, we know that York County has not yet made that list. We also know that even in the yellow zone, gatherings over 25 people will not be considered safe. As a staff, response team, and church council, we continue to monitor the recommendations coming forth from public health and government officials and we are prayerfully considering what options are available. We are also thinking creatively about what a slow reintroduction to in-person community might look like. We do still maintain that this will not happen all at once, but rather, will be a slow but intentional process.
For right now, we hope that you are continuing to find meaning in our online worship services, our daily connection points, and the devotions that are making their way to your inbox everyday. We hope that you continue to connect with one another via phone. We are excited to share that starting next week, myself and Pastor Jeff will be starting “Pastors on the Porch”—a once a week office hours, that one of us will do from the porch, weather permitting. So, on Wednesday, May 13th, from 2-3:30, I invite you to drop by the church—pull in the circular driveway. I’ll be on the front porch in my lawn chair ready to greet you. Please stay in your car, so that we can continue to honor social distancing—but drop by and we can chat for a few minutes. Again, I’ll be on the church porch on Wednesday, May 13th from 2-3:30 and I’d love to see you!
That’s all the updates I have for now, friends. On behalf of the response team and church council and all your Mt. Zion staff, I want to thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support, and your commitment to our church. We are grateful. Be well, friends—and be a blessing.
Pastor Danielle
Update: April 24, 2020
Hello, friends. I last came to you with an announcement from Church Council and the Response Team on March 27th and at that time, we shared with you that we were extending the suspension of in person activities through May 3rd. Since that time, Governor Wolf has issued a shelter in place directive and your Mt. Zion staff has been working from home.
We have journeyed together as a congregation through Lent and Holy Week and have celebrated the resurrection; we have connection via facebook live, Sunday worship and zoom fellowship times. We have incorporated voices from the congregation in our worship and in our daily devotionals and have recently started including contributions from church members in videos posted to Facebook and our website. Your church council continues to meet via zoom. We are adapting, as best we are able, to these circumstances. As a congregation, we have been calling one another and especially checking on those who are most vulnerable. Thank you for all the ways you have connected and served and given during this season of physical separation. We are grateful for you.
Over the last week, the conversation is slowly beginning about how, as a society, we will begin attempting to find a new normal, a slow but cautious reintegration of society. We at Mt. Zion are faced with similar decisions. It is the perspective of your staff, the response team, and church council that as we make these decisions we will continue to rely heavily on the guidance coming from health care professionals and public health officials and our leaders at the local, state, and national levels of government, including carefully considering the phases of reentry and reopening that both the state and federal government have outlined.
The truth is, there are no easy answers or decisions right now, but we can promise you that we are considering each decision with thoughtfulness and prayer. What we can say at this time is that we will not be gathering in person at all in the month of May- this includes a continued suspension of in person worship and any and all activities and meetings of the church. Beyond the month of May, as with all spheres of society of right now, we will be hopeful that slowly the tide will turn and we can begin to slowly introduce our new normal.
At this time, our plans are as follows:
We will continue to worship, connect, and care for one another remotely throughout the month of May.
We will, as a staff, response team, and church council, begin looking at ways to slowly and intentionally reintegrate, when and if it is appropriate as indicated by the guidance of health and government officials. Reintegration will be slow and in phases. For example, it is most likely that the first step will be for our staff to resume office hours within the church building. A possible step after that could be streaming worship from the sanctuary. Each step, slow and intentional, leading up to an eventual gathering for outdoor worship where we can be appropriately distanced but still together. Again, this will be a slow process.
Though painful, we feel it will be quite some time before we can safely gather as a congregation for worship, though of course, our eyes remain ever fixed on that eventual goal.
In the meantime, we will continue to update you, every two weeks, with where we stand. Our next announcement will be on Friday, May 8th and again on Friday, May 22nd.
If you have questions or concerns that you wish to bring to the attention of the response team or church council, we encourage you to email office@mtzionucc.org or by calling myself, Pastor Jeff, or our church moderator John Schriver or vice moderator, Sandy King.
For many of you, this announcement will not come as a surprise- you are watching the same news briefings and updates that we are and you know, all aspects of society are figuring out how to move forward in the most ethical, productive and sensible ways. Though again, there are no easy answers or solutions, there are still some things of which we can be certain:
We can be certain that the gospel of Jesus Christ will always be life-giving and life-saving and the work of the church is ongoing.
We can be certain that God is with us, we are not left to ourselves. Now more than ever the hope of the resurrection and God’s eternal mercy is a message we can cling to and draw strength from.
Your church council and your pastors and staff want you to know that you are cared for and loved and we value your safety and well being. If you need support, we encourage you to reach out to myself or Pastor Jeff. On behalf of the Mt. Zion Staff, the Response Team and the Church Council, I want to thank you for entrusting us with these difficult decision in these unprecedented times. As we journey forward together, we look forward to continuing to connect with you and serve with you as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Friends, be well, be a blessing, and do not hesitate to reach out if you need support. God bless you.
Pastor Danielle
Hello, friends. I last came to you with an announcement from Church Council and the Response Team on March 27th and at that time, we shared with you that we were extending the suspension of in person activities through May 3rd. Since that time, Governor Wolf has issued a shelter in place directive and your Mt. Zion staff has been working from home.
We have journeyed together as a congregation through Lent and Holy Week and have celebrated the resurrection; we have connection via facebook live, Sunday worship and zoom fellowship times. We have incorporated voices from the congregation in our worship and in our daily devotionals and have recently started including contributions from church members in videos posted to Facebook and our website. Your church council continues to meet via zoom. We are adapting, as best we are able, to these circumstances. As a congregation, we have been calling one another and especially checking on those who are most vulnerable. Thank you for all the ways you have connected and served and given during this season of physical separation. We are grateful for you.
Over the last week, the conversation is slowly beginning about how, as a society, we will begin attempting to find a new normal, a slow but cautious reintegration of society. We at Mt. Zion are faced with similar decisions. It is the perspective of your staff, the response team, and church council that as we make these decisions we will continue to rely heavily on the guidance coming from health care professionals and public health officials and our leaders at the local, state, and national levels of government, including carefully considering the phases of reentry and reopening that both the state and federal government have outlined.
The truth is, there are no easy answers or decisions right now, but we can promise you that we are considering each decision with thoughtfulness and prayer. What we can say at this time is that we will not be gathering in person at all in the month of May- this includes a continued suspension of in person worship and any and all activities and meetings of the church. Beyond the month of May, as with all spheres of society of right now, we will be hopeful that slowly the tide will turn and we can begin to slowly introduce our new normal.
At this time, our plans are as follows:
We will continue to worship, connect, and care for one another remotely throughout the month of May.
We will, as a staff, response team, and church council, begin looking at ways to slowly and intentionally reintegrate, when and if it is appropriate as indicated by the guidance of health and government officials. Reintegration will be slow and in phases. For example, it is most likely that the first step will be for our staff to resume office hours within the church building. A possible step after that could be streaming worship from the sanctuary. Each step, slow and intentional, leading up to an eventual gathering for outdoor worship where we can be appropriately distanced but still together. Again, this will be a slow process.
Though painful, we feel it will be quite some time before we can safely gather as a congregation for worship, though of course, our eyes remain ever fixed on that eventual goal.
In the meantime, we will continue to update you, every two weeks, with where we stand. Our next announcement will be on Friday, May 8th and again on Friday, May 22nd.
If you have questions or concerns that you wish to bring to the attention of the response team or church council, we encourage you to email office@mtzionucc.org or by calling myself, Pastor Jeff, or our church moderator John Schriver or vice moderator, Sandy King.
For many of you, this announcement will not come as a surprise- you are watching the same news briefings and updates that we are and you know, all aspects of society are figuring out how to move forward in the most ethical, productive and sensible ways. Though again, there are no easy answers or solutions, there are still some things of which we can be certain:
We can be certain that the gospel of Jesus Christ will always be life-giving and life-saving and the work of the church is ongoing.
We can be certain that God is with us, we are not left to ourselves. Now more than ever the hope of the resurrection and God’s eternal mercy is a message we can cling to and draw strength from.
Your church council and your pastors and staff want you to know that you are cared for and loved and we value your safety and well being. If you need support, we encourage you to reach out to myself or Pastor Jeff. On behalf of the Mt. Zion Staff, the Response Team and the Church Council, I want to thank you for entrusting us with these difficult decision in these unprecedented times. As we journey forward together, we look forward to continuing to connect with you and serve with you as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Friends, be well, be a blessing, and do not hesitate to reach out if you need support. God bless you.
Pastor Danielle
Update: March 27, 2020
Mt. Zion Family,
Church Council and the Mt. Zion Response Team have voted to continue to suspend in person gatherings at Mt. Zion until at least May 3rd. This includes all special Lenten services and Sunday services, including Easter Sunday as well as all in person gatherings/activities. We will continue to offer worship via our streaming service and gatherings via Facebook Live, Zoom and other platforms and a schedule for these gatherings will be communicated weekly. We are launching an effort to be in touch with church members to check on your well being and connect with you. We are mailing bulletins and devotionals to members who do not have access to the internet. The Mt. Zion staff continue to be in the office with some adjustments in schedule but we request that you refrain from stopping by so that we can continue to practice social distancing. Our pastors (Pastor Danielle & Pastor Jeff) continue to be available to you for support via phone, text and email. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with us! For a full announcement and reflection, please watch the video below. The Response Team and Church Council will reassess at the end of April to see where we stand and make further decisions, which we will communicate to you by April 24th.
In the meantime, take heart, dear friends, though we will not be gathering physically, we are always gathered spiritually and we remain connected, the body of Christ. Thank you for your care, support and understanding. We love you so very much.
Mt. Zion Family,
Church Council and the Mt. Zion Response Team have voted to continue to suspend in person gatherings at Mt. Zion until at least May 3rd. This includes all special Lenten services and Sunday services, including Easter Sunday as well as all in person gatherings/activities. We will continue to offer worship via our streaming service and gatherings via Facebook Live, Zoom and other platforms and a schedule for these gatherings will be communicated weekly. We are launching an effort to be in touch with church members to check on your well being and connect with you. We are mailing bulletins and devotionals to members who do not have access to the internet. The Mt. Zion staff continue to be in the office with some adjustments in schedule but we request that you refrain from stopping by so that we can continue to practice social distancing. Our pastors (Pastor Danielle & Pastor Jeff) continue to be available to you for support via phone, text and email. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with us! For a full announcement and reflection, please watch the video below. The Response Team and Church Council will reassess at the end of April to see where we stand and make further decisions, which we will communicate to you by April 24th.
In the meantime, take heart, dear friends, though we will not be gathering physically, we are always gathered spiritually and we remain connected, the body of Christ. Thank you for your care, support and understanding. We love you so very much.
Update: March 13, 2020
Mt. Zion Family! Church Council and the Mt. Zion Response team have voted to suspend in-person gatherings at Mt. Zion for the next two weeks. This includes worship on Sunday 3/15 and 3/22 and also Lenten Wednesday evenings. We will reassess after two weeks, see where we stand, and make further decisions, which we will communicate to you by 3/27. We will be bringing you worship that you can watch online, and details regarding this and other opportunities to participate virtually will be communicated in the next day or two. In the meantime, you can continue to communicate with Pastor Danielle and Pastor Jeff via text and email, and at this time, staff do plan on doing office hours and checking church voicemail. Further details and some reflections by Pastor Danielle are included in the video above.
Take heart, dear friends, though we will not be gathering physically, we are always gathered spiritually. Stay tuned...
Mt. Zion Family! Church Council and the Mt. Zion Response team have voted to suspend in-person gatherings at Mt. Zion for the next two weeks. This includes worship on Sunday 3/15 and 3/22 and also Lenten Wednesday evenings. We will reassess after two weeks, see where we stand, and make further decisions, which we will communicate to you by 3/27. We will be bringing you worship that you can watch online, and details regarding this and other opportunities to participate virtually will be communicated in the next day or two. In the meantime, you can continue to communicate with Pastor Danielle and Pastor Jeff via text and email, and at this time, staff do plan on doing office hours and checking church voicemail. Further details and some reflections by Pastor Danielle are included in the video above.
Take heart, dear friends, though we will not be gathering physically, we are always gathered spiritually. Stay tuned...
Update: March 9, 2020
Hello, friends! Last week, we posted an initial statement regarding COVID-19 (see below). As a Response Team, we said that we would continue to keep you up to date regarding how Mt. Zion UCC is approaching this ever-changing situation and what strategies we are implementing to care for our congregation members, the groups that use our facilities, and all of God’s people.
We affirm the initial recommendations that were made:
Finally, we ask that you continue to care for one another, demonstrating compassion and love and looking out for those who are most vulnerable. We continue to trust in God’s guidance and provision. We feel these precautionary measures are common sense practices that focus on the health and safety of all. Thank you for your continued service and love to all of God’s people.
God Bless You,
Mt. Zion Response Team
(Pastor Danielle, Pastor Jeff, John Schriver (moderator), Sandy King (vice moderator), Bob Katherman, Dr. Scott McCracken)
Hello, friends! Last week, we posted an initial statement regarding COVID-19 (see below). As a Response Team, we said that we would continue to keep you up to date regarding how Mt. Zion UCC is approaching this ever-changing situation and what strategies we are implementing to care for our congregation members, the groups that use our facilities, and all of God’s people.
We affirm the initial recommendations that were made:
- Please stay home if you are feeling sick. Please know your well being is important to us. If you do need to stay home, we encourage you to stream our services from our website — we are fortunate to have that capability.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Disinfect surfaces used regularly.
- Use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
- We have increased signage regarding hand washing around all sinks.
- We request that anyone handling/serving food, such as at the Lenten dinners, to please wear gloves.
- The hospitality table team prepackaged food available yesterday, but beginning this coming Sunday, the hospitality team has decided to suspend the hospitality table until this episode has passed.
- We have increased the cleaning of common areas and surfaces including pew tops, door handles and table tops. If you are available to help with this extra cleaning, Bill is especially looking for help on Mondays and Thursdays, as these are the days that follow when our building is most used during the Lenten season.
- Each Sunday school/meeting room and common area is equipped with hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. We ask that after a meeting/gathering, a representative take time to wipe down the common surfaces such as tabletops and door handles.
- We are aware that Pennsylvania has recently been added to the list of states that has incidence of COVID-19. We are monitoring news from the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for their recommendations. Should COVID-19 become an issue more local to York County, the Response Team will reassess procedures and evaluate worship schedules and facility reservations and follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We will update you of any changes through the channels we have used in the past for inclement weather — our church website, the church voicemail, facebook and wgal.com.
- If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to Pastor Danielle or Pastor Jeff in the church office at 717-755-6117.
Finally, we ask that you continue to care for one another, demonstrating compassion and love and looking out for those who are most vulnerable. We continue to trust in God’s guidance and provision. We feel these precautionary measures are common sense practices that focus on the health and safety of all. Thank you for your continued service and love to all of God’s people.
God Bless You,
Mt. Zion Response Team
(Pastor Danielle, Pastor Jeff, John Schriver (moderator), Sandy King (vice moderator), Bob Katherman, Dr. Scott McCracken)
Initial posting — March 3, 2020
As new cases of COVID-19 (corona virus) continue to emerge, we want to share with you what Mt. Zion is doing to anticipate, prepare, and equip our congregation in response.
The most important thing we as a congregation can do is to practice common sense hygiene and health practices:
We are also aware that there is potential for widespread infection and so a team from Mt. Zion has been formed to examine the ministries of Mt. Zion and come up with contingency plans for worship, visitation and more should the need arise. Our hope is that by being proactive, we can all be better informed and engaged in how to best care for one another and continue the ministries of the church. This team is made up of Pastor Danielle, John Schriver (moderator), Sandy King (vice moderator), Bob Katherman (representative from Safety Preparedness Team) and Dr. Scott McCracken. We will disseminate information regarding alternative ministry plans as needed.
In the meantime, continue to practice the love, kindness and hospitality that Mt. Zion is known for. While we remain conscious of the potential for illness, we also remain faithful to God and to our calling to accept and care for one another, living into our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. We lift in prayer all those who have been impacted thus far and we pray for hope and healing for us all. We look forward to sharing this Lenten season with you and will continue to be in touch as needed.
As new cases of COVID-19 (corona virus) continue to emerge, we want to share with you what Mt. Zion is doing to anticipate, prepare, and equip our congregation in response.
The most important thing we as a congregation can do is to practice common sense hygiene and health practices:
- Stay home if you are feeling sick (if it is a Sunday, we welcome you to stream our services).
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Disinfect surfaces used regularly.
- Use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
We are also aware that there is potential for widespread infection and so a team from Mt. Zion has been formed to examine the ministries of Mt. Zion and come up with contingency plans for worship, visitation and more should the need arise. Our hope is that by being proactive, we can all be better informed and engaged in how to best care for one another and continue the ministries of the church. This team is made up of Pastor Danielle, John Schriver (moderator), Sandy King (vice moderator), Bob Katherman (representative from Safety Preparedness Team) and Dr. Scott McCracken. We will disseminate information regarding alternative ministry plans as needed.
In the meantime, continue to practice the love, kindness and hospitality that Mt. Zion is known for. While we remain conscious of the potential for illness, we also remain faithful to God and to our calling to accept and care for one another, living into our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. We lift in prayer all those who have been impacted thus far and we pray for hope and healing for us all. We look forward to sharing this Lenten season with you and will continue to be in touch as needed.