January 15, 2022

Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian Church,

As you are aware, the recent OMICRON surge has made group gatherings a concern. This letter, written with Christ’s love in mind, is not intended to create alarm but to address the present realities created by the OMICRON variant and our need to be cautious when we gather.

The Session and your pastor firmly believe we can and should gather for worship but we should also practice safe interaction when we gather.  Keeping in mind Jesus’ words to love our neighbor as yourself by living daily as wise and responsible stewards of Christ’s love. Until the OMICRON pandemic simmers down, we encourage a return to some of the 2020/2021 pandemic protocols, with the thought in mind that doing so will make a safer worship experience for all.  Those protocols include the following:

1. Wearing masks. We recommend, not require, wearing masks, a medical mask and preferably a KN95 or N95 when inside the building.
2. Contact tracing. Please sign the contract tracing sheet when you arrive at church.
3. Ushering/Greeting. We will continue as we have been. No passing of the offering plates.
4. Seating. We recommend sitting at 6’ intervals (physical distancing) and sitting every other pew as in 2020. Families may sit together in pods.
5. Singing. We plan to minimize singing, though continue it, and ask worshipers to consider wearing masks when we sing.
6. Communion. Communion will continue as we have been doing.
7. Fellowship Hour. We will suspend it for now and resume it when conditions for close interaction improves.
8. Sunday School. We will continue to hold it in the Fellowship Hour. Kids and teachers will wear masks and practice social distance as they did in 2020.
9. The Elevator. Families may ride together and individuals should ride alone.
10. Virtual Worship. Virtual worship by Zoom or Facebook will continue; we encourage you to take advantage of it if gathering in the Sanctuary makes you uncomfortable.

We are hopeful that these protocol practices will be short-lived and lifted as the OMICRON variant hopefully simmers down, thus enabling us to live a relatively normal life. We are grateful for your continued support of and participation in the life and ministry of our Presbyterian family.

God bless you all.

Rev. David Harvey, Pastor

Deborah Albrecht, Clerk of Session