With counsel from physicians, Bishop Stewart and other diocesan leaders, and in light of the Minnesota Department of Health’s most recent community-level mitigation recommendations for Covid-19, I have decided to postpone Sunday public worship services for the next two weeks, beginning this Sunday, March 15. I will reassess this decision on a weekly basis, but due to public health concerns I think this is an immediate way for us to: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17)” Although we will not meet corporately, I am preparing a pastoral letter for later this weekend that will provide resources and suggest ways that we can continue gathering responsibly as a church in a season when the Lord seems to be extraordinarily sending us out.
Click here to view an invitation from Bishop Stewart Ruch to all members of our diocese. Bishop Stewart invites us to pray Psalm 46 for the next 46 days, asking God to deliver us from this pandemic and show us creative ways to share the good news that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).”
In this time of suffering and anxiety for many people, may God use us to manifest faith, hope, and love to the world. Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
blessings in Christ,