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:
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
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).
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
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CHURCH RESPONSE
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