Friends,
We pray all is well with you and yours. Calvin’s Coronavirus Task Force (CCTF) continues to meet via Zoom Video Conference and wants to update you on our discernment of God’s will for Calvin. First, I want to thank our CCTF for their prayerful diligence. Second, we would like to thank our Session, they have empowered CCTF by trusting them and adapting to changes on the fly. Each of these leaders are not only rock stars in their own right, but the way they have done God’s work together is inspiring and reassuring. The following are bullet points of where we’re at:
Calvin’s response to Online Worship is INSPIRING! We had 178 worship live and more than 154 worship thereafter, for a total of more than 332 worshipping with Calvin, which is up 10% from the 300 who worshipped online the previous week.*
While our worship “attendance” is up, our giving is not. We may not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future. Please do everything you can to give via postal service or online in order that Calvin can continue the ministries to which she is called well past the current pandemic and into much brighter, healthier, and stable times. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generosity in advance.
We anticipate that the restrictions limiting Calvin gathering inside the church will continue past Easter, which is April 12, and likely into following months. However,
WE WILL CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY, MAUNDY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, AND EASTER!
As Rev. Eliza Cramer Jaremko, a child of Calvin, said, "Our empty pews will symbolize the Empty Tomb this Easter because Christ has Risen and cannot be contained."
We are using technology that will allow staff, musicians, liturgists, children sermons, etc. to be a part of worship without being present in the sanctuary. We believe they’re gifts from God that will further enhance Calvin’s worship, ministry, and mission.
Calvin’s ministries have continued with Session, Staff, Small Groups and outside groups meeting via Video Conferencing. The Prayer Vigil is being streamed weekly to uplift us spiritually and, Youth Groups are meeting via Zoom… we are making every effort to keep people engaged, alleviate stress and share the abundant life Christ came to give us.
Lists of young healthy people who can run errands, teach technology, etc. are being correlated with lists of people at risk who need a little help.
* These numbers include an average watch time of more than 23 minutes, twice as long as last week and we believe multiple views.
Calvin is Completing CDC’s Checklist
Community- and faith-based organizations are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in their communities. Use this checklist to protect the health of those you serve and staff in your care.
Plan and Prepare
Update your emergency operations plan with the help of your local public health department, emergency operations coordinator or planning team, and other relevant partners to include COVID-19 planning.
Identify space that can be used to separate sick people if needed.
Develop an emergency communication plan for distributing timely and accurate information to workers and those you serve.
Identify actions to take if you need to temporarily postpone or cancel events, programs, and services, especially for groups at greater risk such as older adults or people with chronic health conditions.
Promote the practice of everyday preventative actions:
- Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
- Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when sick.
Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies at your organization (e.g., soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, and a couple of disposable facemasks, just in case someone becomes sick during an event).
Plan for staff absences by developing flexible attendance and sick-leave policies, plan for alternative coverage, and monitor and track COVID-19 related staff absences.
Engage with stigmatized groups and speak out against negative behaviors to help counter stigma and discrimination.
Take Action
If there is COVID-19 in your community:
Stay informed about local COVID-19 information and updates.
Put your emergency operations and communication plans into action.
Communicate with your community members if events and services are changed, postponed, or cancelled.
Emphasize everyday preventive actions through intensified communications with employees and visitors to your organization.
- Stay home when sick.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
- Wash hands often.
- Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
During an event, if someone becomes sick separate them into an isolated room and ask them to leave as soon as possible.
Calvin Coronavirus Task Force
Sandy Beahm, MSW
Dr. David English, MD
Vicky English, PT
Donna Galbraith, ER RN
Rev. A. David Paul, MS, MDiv
Jennifer Paul, NICU RN
Dr. Peter Sylves, DO
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