Dixboro Church Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Dear Dixboro Family

Over the last 24 hours, we have been working with our staff and Leadership Council to make decisions about how best to care for our church family during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. After much discussion and discernment, we have decided the most responsible course of action is to suspend church activities and worship services for the next three weeks and reassess the situation.

The guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are to postpone or cancel events of 100 people or more and gatherings of ten or more if at-risk individuals are involved. As a church, that includes a lot of what we do! By not meeting, we can help to slow the spread of the disease which lessens the likelihood of overwhelming our doctors and hospitals.

The Church Office will be closed during this time but feel free to contact any of the staff with questions or for pastoral care. We will also increase the cleaning and disinfecting of our buildings. In addition, we will be looking at ways to provide online worship, faith formation, and other activities.

Our friend, Rev. Nancy Lynn, beautifully says, “As Christ-followers, we are called to love our neighbors and, in this case, loving others means staying at home. This is a challenging time and we will face it together with faith, courage, and love.” We echo her words and sentiments. We also encourage you to reach out to members:
  • ​To find out if anyone is in need of groceries, meals, or errands run during these next few weeks.
  • Check in on our older members with a phone call or a note.
  • Send cards to people you learn are sick.
  • Contact the church office if you are in need of additional support (contact: dixboroumc@gmail.com).
People need their church family in times of crisis, and we can continue to be God’s hands and feet to each other as this story unfolds.

As we move through the coming weeks, let’s remember the last words of Methodism’s founder, John Wesley - “the best of all is that God is with us”. God will be with us through COVID-19, every day, no matter what. May we respond with love.

Faithfully Serving,

Pastor Jeanne and Rev. Mary

A Message from Bishop Bard on Best Practices

PERSONAL RESPONSE
  • Pray for all those affected by COVID-19, including the health professionals working to contain the virus and treat to those impacted.
  • If you or a family member is sick, may have been directly exposed to the virus or have traveled to a high-alert area (currently South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan), please follow the CDC guidelines and refrain from attending church services during the 14-day incubation period and instead worship with us online.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. The soap breaks down the virus.
  • Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. 
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. 
  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, contact your health care provider in advance to tell them about your symptoms before arriving at a doctor’s office or hospital. 

​CHURCH RESPONSE
  • Organize a local church response team to monitor, plan, communicate, manage finances, and increase church hygiene.
  • In addition to regular cleaning by a professional cleaning service, also sanitize highly touched surfaces (banners, door handles, light switches, etc.) before and after worship and programs.
  • Discuss how you can minister to and safely check on the well-being of impacted members.  Use telephone or other electronic means. Discuss how you might safely support those needing to shelter in place with food and other necessities.
  • Offer hand sanitizer stations that contain at least 60% alcohol and encourage regular use.
  • Encourage social distancing.  If you have a larger sanctuary, encourage members to spread out, providing as much space as possible between individual.
  • Consider temporarily suspending the serving of communion during worship.
  • Consider not passing attendance notebooks or offering plates.
  • When greeting one another, encourage smiling, waving or bump elbows.
  • Evaluate the safety of serving food and beverages at church, passing offering plates, or other common exposure situations.