Dear Restoration,
In an effort to flatten the curve, MDH is asking for organizations with gatherings of more than 250 not to meet. For gatherings fewer than 250, like Restoration, MDH asks for strong Social Distancing measures.
While it is still permissible within their guidelines for Restoration to meet, and yes, we could technically implement all of MDH's suggestions, this would greatly impact the character of our worship. Furthermore, it would exclude from our worship those who are considered "at risk." This would be heartbreaking.
My deep desire was for us to gather one more time this Sunday before an extended time apart. As I mentioned last week, we believe that matter matters. God visits his people when the Word is opened, in the breaking of Bread and in the Fellowship of the faithful. I wanted to sing with you, pray with you, and come to the Table with you one more time!
In light of MDH's statement and the new level of local seriousness this signals, we are suspending March services.
SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
First of all, God is still with us, and we are still called to plant a revival of Word and Sacrament infused by the Holy Spirit, right?! Let us not lose sight of that.
For this immediate Sunday, we are preparing a home Worship Guide for you based off of the Sunday service we had planned. Aaron is preparing a PDF booklet, and David and Christie are recording songs. We will post it to our website by Saturday evening, and I will also email you the link.
For the past few weeks, we've been brainstorming ideas on what to do in this situation. Many people have asked about streaming services. That is something we're looking into, but we get really excited about empowering you, the People of God, to think of your households as mini-churches in the midst of your neighborhoods.
How can we empower you to pastorally lead those in your household? What sort of practices could we take on that actually bind us closer together as a congregation? How can we use this time to be a blessing to those around us? Rather than simply "weathering the storm," it is possible to spiritually thrive like this? What does the sacramental life look like in this temporary season?
If you have thoughts on any of this, feel free to contact me or any of our staff.
REACH OUT!
My hope is that this will all pass relatively soon, as some are predicting. In the meantime, if you are sick, housebound, or lonely, please fill out a prayer request here. Use the notes field on that form if you're in need of physical assistance. We are still family in Christ, even if we are not meeting together in person. Our Staff and Prayer Team are committed to diligently and confidentially hold you in prayer.
Also, if the Spirit places on your heart someone in our congregation, call them! If you don't have their info, look it up in Breeze. Social Distancing doesn't mean being alone. Reach out. Hospitality can happen over the phone. May this be a season in which we grow in initiating conversations.
I will be guiding the staff as we make more plans for the upcoming weeks. We will email you and post to our Health Page regularly. Again, I am so saddened to not be with you in person this Sunday. But, I pray that through all of this, we will be even closer to one another, loving our neighbors more passionately, and ever more grateful for the Love of God.
—Fr. Rick
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom 8:38ff
