Graphic credit: Siouxsie Wiles and Toby Morris / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Like you, I have been immersed in information-gathering about the spread of the latest Coronavirus, CoViD-19
It's confusing on the one hand, and very clear on the other hand.
When I read researched-based articles explaining the exponential growth of infections, it's clear to me that we need to be vigilant about slowing the spread.
What's also clear is that we all need to take action personally and as communities to slow down the spread of the disease and protect the at-risk population, especially those over 60 whose health is at all compromised already.
And it's clear to me that we should take action not out of fear but out of love for others.
The most significant way of slowing down the spread of the disease and protecting our loved ones is by "physical distancing." That includes proper etiquette in close proximity to each other as well as isolating oneself from potential infection by others, and isolating oneself from others if exhibiting symptoms.
Therefore, after consulting with members of the Sunrise Chapel Board and taking counsel from my clergy colleagues and from the HR department of our central organization, here is what I've concluded:
- For this Sunday, I will hold an informal, scaled-back church service which will be live streamed. No Sunday School. No luncheon afterward. To everyone in the at-risk population, which is many in our congregation, I urge you to stay home and either tune into the Sunrise Chapel You Tube live stream (see blue button/link below) or some other video-based event.
In another email I will share a variety of links for online services.
- For next weekend, the offTheLeftEye gathering with Jonathan Rose which was scheduled for March 21 is postponed. Jonathan and Tim Bilger and I are looking at rescheduling it for the fall.
- The Sunrise Fundraiser scheduled for March 28 is postponed. The team will need to meet to decide the best time to reschedule.
- The small groups for Spiritual Growth that were scheduled to begin on March 24 are also postponed. Stay tuned for further information.
For some, it may seem like these measures are excessive, but I prefer to think of them as loving and thoughtful. It's important to take the health of our at-risk population seriously and slow the spread of the disease so that the healthcare system can handle the wave of serious cases that are inevitably coming.
The world's response to this is unprecedented. And given how interconnected our nations and communities are, in my opinion we need to take action right away, even in Arizona and Pima County and Sunrise Chapel where the immediate risk seems low.
And at the same time, we need each other, we need our faith community, we need our connection with our loving Lord and Savior to help us through this challenge.
So, let's stay connected in every safe way we can, and look forward to rejoining our in-person gatherings with zeal as soon as possible.
With love and respect and prayers,
