Guidelines for Household Gatherings as of May 15

Meet outside in small groups, with no more than 10 people present.
Maintain social distancing. Arrange seating to allow at least six feet between households.
Wear a mask whenever possible.
No common food should be served.
Hosts should make plans for safe bathroom access. Provide individual hand towels for guests. Post instructions: Wash hands for 20 seconds. Use towel to dry hands and turn off faucet. Dispose of towel in wastebasket.
Everyone present should wash hands after the gathering.

Update from Pastors & Infectious Disease Response Team

May 15, 2020

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
(1 Cor. 6:14)

Dear Friends,

I want to help us think about social distancing, pass along a word of caution, and share some guidelines.

We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. When we recite the creed, we also profess that, "We believe in the resurrection of the body"—our bodies! As God raised Christ from the dead, he will raise us also. Our bodies have a future. For Christians, this future is the basis of how we treat our bodies now.

Christians discipline their bodies, but this moment calls for an unusual and unwelcome kind of discipline. For the health and safety of one another, we must fast from our most life-giving disciplines: corporate worship, singing together, and sharing Communion. Instead, we are asked to adopt strange rituals, like wearing masks and sitting across the room from one another. I don't like it! But I recognize it as an opportunity for me—and for our community—to discipline our bodies for the sake of love.

This will continue for some time. Though much remains unknown about COVID-19, it is a serious illness. Persons over 60 and with pre-existing health conditions are most vulnerable, but adults of all ages may become sick. Recent reports suggest Covid-related illnesses in children. The disease is highly contagious and may be spread by asymptomatic carriers. As state and local restrictions relax, please remain careful.

We are eager to be together, but we do not expect things to quickly return to normal. Instead, we are working on new, safe ways to gather. This week Ali Shoenfelt sent you an email with information about Neighborhood Groups. These neighborhood groups are a preliminary step towards Parish worship gatherings. For now, however, we encourage you to continue using the Worship from Home liturgy. If you meet with another household, refer to the guidelines above. These guidelines are our disciplines right now.

Remain steadfast, friends. As we live with longing, we nurture hope: By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. We will be together in the presence of God—with the whole communion of saints—forever!

In hope,
Goodie

On behalf of the Pastors: Allan Poole, David Dunderdale, and the Infectious Disease Response Team (IDRT): Jeff Baker (chair), Martha Carlough, Leslie Cenezy, Rich Frothingham, Margaret Frothingham, Karl Umble, Matt Varnell & Kendra Varnell.

The IDRT is an advisory committee formed by the Session of Blacknall Presbyterian. The committee does not offer medical advice. Consult CDC guidelines for safety during COVID-19.