March 13, 2020 | COVID-19 Update

Good afternoon friends,

This afternoon, we heard from East Ohio Conference Bishop, Tracy Smith Malone urging all congregations to cancel public worship for the next two weeks. As we do every Sunday, we will offer livestreamed worship on Sunday at 10 am. The livestream will be available on our website and on our Facebook page.

As this is a change from our announcement yesterday, we appreciate your flexibility as we all seek to respond faithfully to this evolving crisis.

Following the Bishop’s directive, we are not closing our buildings at this time and will give community groups the option about whether or not to meet, while asking them to disinfectant in the spaces they use.

If you are in a Life Group, you will be hearing from your life group leader about plans for meeting.

Your faithful giving is always critical to the ministries of this church, and we especially need your continued faithfulness during this time of great uncertainty.  You may mail your checks to the church or use the online giving option.

The following activities are canceled:

  • Youth Group for March 15 and 22
  • Bread on Bridge through April 13
  • Twice Blessed Free Story will not be open for a month and so we will not go on our scheduled day to serve on March 21
  • West Side Community House has canceled the family meal on March 17th
  • The Westlake Suburban Campus community meal will be canceled on March 25th

We are seeking to make a faithful decision about our food pantry distribution on March 25.

Our Bishop has offered us the following words of encouragement and peace:

“I encourage you not to panic and resign to fear but instead be courageous in your resolve to be light and hope in these times of uncertainty. May this be a time to expand your witness and missional outreach.

‘God is our refuge and strength and an ever-present help in times of trouble.’ (Psalm 46:1)

We encourage you to continue to care of your health by continuing to wash your hands frequently and for 20 seconds. (The Lord’s Prayer takes about that time if you’d like to pray while washing your hands).

May you know the love and peace of God in this anxious season.

Blessings,

Rev. Mollie, Rev. Paige and the staff and leadership of Westlake UMC