August 16, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,

Following a continued increase in COVID-19 cases in the wider Dalton area, the session has reinstituted a mask mandate for all church activities. All groups will be welcome to use the church building as usual provided that masks are worn. The current mask policy precludes any fellowship activities where food or beverages will be served.

In addition to the mask policy, a few worship procedures will change. We will no longer hold hands at the end of worship or pass the peace as we ordinarily would. The offering plate will remain in the back of the church. Communion will continued to be served the first Sunday of every month according to the safety procedures first instituted with a return to worship in the Spring. Worship will continue to appear on our livestream for all who are uncomfortable worshipping in-person.

Meetings will continue both in in-person and virtual formats. If you have any concerns about in-person meetings, please contact the session member who chairs your particular team.

All of these rules are temporary and will be subject to change as the COVID situation in our community improves. If you have any questions about the new policy please do not hesitate to contact me or a member of session.

Obviously this is not the outcome we have hoped for this past year and a half. We’re going to have to wait a bit longer for a return to “normal.” Having said that, the work of the church will continue: through worship, education, mission, and fellowship. Each setback we meet is an opportunity to remember the core truth about a church—we do not exist by our own efforts, but by the call of Jesus, who gathers us into God’s love. That gathering will look different in the days ahead. But we trust that, wherever we are, the Spirit of God will continue to bring us together.

Peace,
Will