Considering In-Person Worship

Recently, I received an email from Rev. Cody Sandahl. Cody is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton. He shared with me a letter to his congregation which includes things to consider before they might move forward with in-person worship. With his permission, I am sharing the note he sent to his congregation along with the plan for in-person worship First Presbyterian Church of Littleton is using. Feel free to adapt it for your church’s use.

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COVID-19 In-Person Worship Plan for
First Presbyterian Church in Littleton

A Note from Pastor Cody

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We all know that our experiences influence how we see situations. So I want to share with you some of my experiences that shape my recommendations for FPCL during this COVID-19 disruption.

First, I know people who have died. Several people. One of the epilepsy families in our area thought they had all recovered successfully...until their daughter with epilepsy suddenly died after being released from the hospital. My wife works at one of the memory care facilities that has experienced an outbreak. Many patients in that facility who had survived rounds of flu in the past are now dead. Another family we know were all infected around the same time. With the dad in the hospital and the mom incredibly sick as well, their son with autism had to get himself to the hospital when he had a bad reaction. The son and mom recovered. The dad, who was about my age, is now dead. So in my experience, this disease has more reasons to be concerned than just a normal flu.

Second, our son with epilepsy experiences extreme negative reactions to the tiniest sicknesses. We have been in the ER due to otherwise minor colds or unspecified viruses. His seizures skyrocket. His sleep disappears. We have no clue how his body would react to this largely unknown virus, but based on our past experiences it could be devastating for him. And knowing a child with epilepsy who died certainly heightens our anxiety. So in my experience, families with young children (especially with special needs) have reasons to worry about this disease more than a normal virus.

Third, I have witnessed so many examples of the people in our church being more Christ-like during this disruption than they even were before. I mentioned quite a few specific examples of people going above and beyond in my sermon from May 10. I also know from our church’s history that in 1963 we were able to recover from a ten week building closure due to a gasoline leak from the filling station across the street. So in my experience, we can be the hands and feet of Christ in our daily lives even if we can’t worship together in the same building for a while.

These are some of the experiences that shape my perspective on how our church should approach re-opening during this time. You may disagree with my conclusions. I expect that. I welcome it, because those conversations are necessary to make the best possible plan. But before I lay out our options for re-opening, I wanted you to know some of the big things that are shaping my perspective.

Thank you for indulging me for a few minutes, and I covet your prayers for wisdom as we try to honor Christ as best we can while we traverse these uncharted waters together. 

In Christ’s Service Together,

Pastor Cody

Click here for sample worship plan.

We Celebrate the Good News of the Appointment of our sister, Rev. Lydia Neshangwe, as Moderator of Council of World Mission

We bring this sign of the church alive:  The Presbytery of Denver celebrates with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe and the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (http://www.unitingpresbyterian.org) the appointment of our sister, the Rev. Lydia Neshangwe, as the Moderator of the Council of World Mission (www.cwmission.org). 

As previously reported, Lydia also is a candidate for the position of Moderator of the General Assembly of the UPCSA.  Lydia has served the CWM’s various programs for four years, and, if elected by the UPCSA, will serve both organizations simultaneously. We thank God for the gifts and strengths Rev. Neshangwe will continue to bring to the church universal. 

Read the letter from the Unting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa here.

Rev. Evan Amo (Peoples PC) shares his reflections...

On Saturday afternoon, my wife, Lauren, and I joined thousands of fellow citizens in Civic Center to raise our voice in protest of the recent unjust killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police, Breonne Taylor by the Louisville police, and all unarmed African-Americans who die at the hands of law enforcement at an alarmingly high rate compared to those of other races. Surely, most officers care about their communities and seek to be honorable public servants in a difficult job. Yet this insidious outcome endures, and God is demanding better of us. 

At this time, the protest was fairly organized and quite peaceful. There were people of every race and age, holding signs with a wide variety of messages--some were inflammatory, but all shared the just desire for meaningful change, towards a country characterized by real liberty and justice for all.

Before we marched down the 16th Street Mall, all were gathered on the lawn in front of the State House and on Lincoln St. The organizers orchestrated a sobering action: thousands laid face-down in the grass, sidewalk or street, with hands behind our backs as if handcuffed, chanting in unison "I can't breathe."

These words were infamously uttered in 2014 eleven times by Eric Garner, as he was held in a choke hold by a NYPD officer, and died as he was being detained. On May 25, George Floyd cried "I can't breathe" multiple times, along with cries for his mother, as an officer pressed Mr. Floyd's neck to the asphalt with his knee. For nine minutes.

As I laid in the grass for about ten minutes, chanting in solidarity, there were moments where it was actually hard to breathe as I would get a whiff of residual tear gas or whatever chemicals were still on the ground from the night before. Then I would realize how slight chemical irritation compares to the feelings of helplessness or restriction so many of our neighbors feel at the hands of those called to protect and serve, and in many other aspects of life in our country as one with black or brown skin."I can't breathe" continues to be somewhat of a tragic motto for our African-American sisters and brothers, to describe the ways that white supremacy and anti-black racism choke everyday life. When will we listen, and care to really understand? When will we "let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others?" When will we let justice roll down like the waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream?

As our hope is in Jesus Christ who makes all things new, may His Spirit lead us to proclaim and work toward the vision of God's Kingdom for which we hope, shalom: peace, justice, equity, and dignity. 

Rev. Evan Amo
Peoples Presbyterian Church

Action Alert: Office of Public Witness is outraged by the senseless murder of George Floyd

The Presbyterian Church U.S.A, Office of Public Witness, is outraged by the senseless murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Derek Chauvin, the arresting officer, forced Floyd to the ground and placed his knee on his neck until he was dead. For several minutes, the officer refused to relent as people in the crowd were pleading with him to stop, and Floyd echoed Eric Garner saying, “I can’t breathe.”

“To watch this man die at the hands of a police officer whose sole authority resides in the motto, “to protect and to serve,” demands action. It makes understandable the outrage demonstrated in the fires started as the only voice people in power and authority seem to understand. Now they want to listen. Now they want peace” says Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins, Director of the Office of Public Witness

This incident adds to the many occurrences of brutality against the Black community. On February 23rd, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, an African American man, was fatally shot by two white men in Georgia. On March 13th, 2020, Breonna Taylor, an African American woman, was fatally shot by police in her Louisville, Kentucky apartment. George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbaery, Breonna Taylor, and many others are all victims of the racism, white supremacy, and police brutality that are embedded in the fabric of this country.

This, in the midst of this of a pandemic where Black people, only 13 percent of the population, account for 23 percent of COVID-19 deaths, points to a larger systemic disregard for Black bodies. The racism, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness so prevalent within our country must end!

Racism is a sin against humanity. Our sacred text tells us that ALL humans are made in God’s image and likeness. As people of faith, we must honor the inherent value and dignity of all people and seek justice when that value and dignity is attacked. We are calling on Presbyterians to take action and “stand against racism in all its myriad forms.” We urge you to:

1. Petition the President of the United States to proclaim a national day of “Mourning Against Racial Injustice” on June 19th, the traditional day of celebration for African Americans over the end of slavery, where flags will be flown at half-mast.

2. Contact your member of Congress demanding legislation that defines racialized police violence as a hate crime.

Click the link below to log in and send your message: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/I5jbjevKW_LpPodkSxZs5g

PCUSA Stated Clerk, Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, says there is work to be done

The recent deaths of three African Americans have once again raised concern about racial injustice across the country, including the cities where the deaths occurred. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) says there is work to be done.

A Message from Dana & Justin: When will it be safe?

Greetings Sisters and Brothers In Christ,

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

According to the book of Acts, these were Jesus’ last words to the disciples.  He spoke and then ascended.  He did not give the answer they wanted. They probably watched the bottoms of Jesus’ feet as he ascended, then gawped at the sky until they were blinking away tears. 

“Now what?” they asked each other as they shuffled down the road back to Jerusalem.  “Did you understand him?” one asked.  “No, did you?”

It’s clear that none of them got it, because they went straight back to the room they had occupied since the crucifixion; the room where they felt safe in each other’s company; the room where they went over everything that had happened in their three years of discipleship; the room with the door they kept closed.

Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, we are living in the liminal time between the Ascension and Pentecost.  We are experiencing a catastrophic event through this pandemic, and what we want more than anything is a return to NORMAL.  However, under such circumstances, NORMAL has leap-frogged into the future, and what NORMAL will look like out there is not much like the NORMAL that is now behind us. 

We want to get back into our sanctuaries and see the people we cherish and listen to the music and sing the hymns and celebrate the sacraments.  We want church to stay the way it’s always been for us. 

 “Lord, are you at this time going to open the churches?”

Here are two pieces of information that you must hold in tension as you ask this question:

1. Only the session of your church can decide when to open or close.  Not the Moderator of Presbytery.  Not the Vice-Moderator.  Not the Stated Clerk or the Transitional Presbytery Pastor.  The session makes that decision, and the pastor of the church is a member of the session and has a vote.

2. It is our recommendation that each of our congregations within Denver Presbytery continue offering online worship as it is not yet safe to return to our sanctuaries.  To date, 1,630,900 AMERICANS have been infected with Covid-19.  97,059 have died. we are six months to a year away from having a vaccine.  Social distancing and wearing masks have helped to slow the spread of the virus, yet 1000 new cases appear every day in America.  Despite our impatience, it is not yet safe to return to our sanctuaries.

Friends, now is not the time to get in a hurry.  Now is not the time to risk the lives of our most vulnerable church members, friends, family members, musicians, choir members, custodians and pastors by returning to the building.  The session of each church must consider the risks, pray for God’s wisdom, and make the decision that best suits their congregation.  And it’s worth repeating:  they must consider the risks.

We are praying for you constantly, and seeking God’s will for the Presbytery and every member of every church.  Until we can all be truly safe together, we urge you to SLOW DOWN, participate with your congregation virtually and continue to WORSHIP GOD IN YOUR HOME.

Always hopeful,

Rev. Dana Hughes
Transitional Presbytery Pastor
 

Rev. Justin Spurlock
Moderator of Denver Presbytery

cover photo source: Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash