Hi Ren family. I imagine many of you have listened to one or more of the governor’s recent updates on Covid. Restrictions are getting tighter as the numbers have skyrocketed back up higher than ever. I heard that neighboring Massachusetts has also tightened restrictions. We decided to drop our max capacity down to 60 each week instead of 100 to ensure ample distancing.
If you are attending in-person services please adhere to the guidelines below carefully (I recently updated them). Almost 1000 people have died in Providence County and we are located in the heart of the area worst hit. We want to continue to enjoy these weekly in-person gatherings but this is dependent on everyone cooperating carefully. Thanks!
Now that our max capacity is only 60 it’s important to register early. Our admin team aims to make registration available each week after service on Sunday afternoon or Monday. If it’s full, please complete the registration as waitlisted. We really want to know how many are waitlisted each week to determine whether we should add a second service. Please do not just show up on Sunday without first registering because there’s a good chance you will not be allowed in.
On the note of adding a second service, I’d rather not do that in Nov-Dec for a few reasons. The number of infections is extremely high right now. Despite restrictions in the state I know that Rhode Islanders will still be doing things with extended family and friends at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two services on Sunday essentially doubles the risk for my staff and production team, as well as, increases their workload. So, ideally, I’d like to see us get into 2021 before considering a second service.
That said, if you are someone who attends weekly in-person I’d like to ask you to consider coming less. Every other week would be perfect. The services are streamed and can be watched at home the weeks you stay home. I think if we did this we could keep our in-person gatherings to about 50 each week.
We also decided that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be online service only. And the Sunday after Christmas there will be no service at all. This will not only give staff and production team a break but it will also be safer since attendees may be interacting with extended family at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The online service the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be a “Faces of Ren: Thanksgiving edition” and you’ll hear from a variety of people in the community sharing what they are thankful for.
There will be no service at all the Sunday after Christmas, however, we will likely have at least an online Christmas Eve service on the earlier side like 6pm.
Ren family, let’s be safe during these next two busy months. For many of you the threat of serious illness from Covid-19 is tiny. Because you are young and healthy. Or even older and healthy. I just want to remind us that being safe isn’t merely to keep ourselves safe. We all know, at this point, that a person can have Covid and spread it to others without knowing it. They are asymptomatic. Symptoms may appear in time but we also know that some people get Covid and have no symptoms at all. The point is that we could be feeling great but be an asymptomatic carrier. So we should always protect others—especially the elderly and at-risk folks—from ourselves in case we are a carrier and don’t realize it. I would call this basic Christianity. Or the “golden rule”—do to others what you’d want them to do for you. It is a simple practical expression of loving our neighbor. It’s something Christians should be famous for.
I am keenly aware that the restrictions mandated by the state and the church are unpleasant. I also realize that some of you may feel it’s all a little too restricted. Or, not restricted enough. As a church we are doing our best to make decisions every step of the way that reflect God’s heart. Let’s maintain unity and I’d ask that you would be supportive of our church leaders during this season as they make tough decisions. We genuinely love this community and want the best for each one of you.
Lastly, I want to confess that as the lead pastor I’ve been struggling to feel like I’m really feeding the flock enough. I’m working hard each week to prepare the very best sermon I can deliver. I’m sending newsletters with thoughtful content and have interacted through calls, emails and texts with many. I’ve stayed connected with staff, leaders and Council through Zoom meetings and socially distanced conversations on our patio around the fire pit. But it all feels like it’s not enough I think because I just have not talked with many of you in so long! I really miss you!
Here’s what I want to say—I am praying constantly for you behind the scenes; I love you; I would love to hear from you. Sometimes people feel weird about emailing me because they think I’m so busy. Yeah, I stay busy but I would love to hear from you. How are you doing? How can I pray for you? Is there anything you need? Is there anything I can do as a pastor to better serve you? I would also be more than happy to talk on the phone or arrange a socially distanced outdoor visit. Respond back and let me know.
The next 4-5 months will be cold and the sun is already setting early. The second wave of the pandemic is upon us. Please don’t crawl into a hole during this winter season. Yes, be safe, of course. But make every effort to stay connected to one another and to your leaders. There are many safe creative ways to encourage each other. Joining a small group is a good starting point. We were not meant to do this walk with Jesus alone.
I’m praying that this holiday season and the months leading up to Easter 2021 would be a surprising time of spiritual growth. That we wouldn’t just “make it through”—but we would be “more than conquerors”! That we would go deeper in God than ever before. I’m praying that we would be refined by God’s Spirit and would come out of this dark season filled with fresh Spirit-power! I’m praying that we would have the most dramatic encounters with Jesus we’ve ever had. That we’d have experiences of intimacy with God we never dreamed were possible. And I’m praying that the Lord would use us as instruments to carry His love and gospel to those around us who need it. Our God has a plan up His sleeve and I have the feeling it’s exceedingly abundantly beyond what we are asking or imagining !!!
Scott