Dear Starmount Presbyterian Friends,
It is amazing how quickly situations and circumstances can
change. Last week in worship, we were just getting used to the idea of
trading “holy hand waves” and elbow bumps instead of handshakes, and this week
the measures being taken all around us to mitigate the spread of the novel
coronavirus are far more drastic. I wanted to give you all an update on
how we here at Starmount are preparing to address this growing health
concern.
Worship
The Session had a discussion last night and has made the decision to
suspend worship gatherings and all Sunday morning classes and activities for
the next two weeks. (March 15 & 22) We are listening to local health
experts, state officials, and other faith communities who have all recommended
that gatherings over 100 people are not advised at this time. Plans are
being made to offer a weekly virtual worship service that will be posted to our
You Tube page and can be accessed through our website. Printed materials
and a list of scripture readings will also be made available for those who
prefer them. We will send a follow up email in the next few days with
links to these materials. We realize not everyone in our congregation
will have access to the internet or even to email. If you know of individuals
in our community for whom that is the case, we would encourage you to contact
them and offer assistance. We will also have printed materials available
in the church office.
Community Care
Especially in times such as these, we are all grateful to be a part of
such a caring community. As we make preparations for the coming weeks,
our hearts immediately turn to those in our community who may be in need.
Our Caring Committee is currently reaching out to our homebound and at-risk
members to check in on them. Volunteers are also reaching out to the
families of our tutoring students to do the same. We encourage all those
in our congregation to touch base with friends and neighbors to see if they are
in need of encouragement or support during this time. If you do become
aware of congregation members who are in need, please contact the church
office.
Call to Serve
We realize that while the disruption to daily life caused by this
health concern may be minor to some, it could potentially have significant
effects on the most vulnerable in our community. We are currently
contacting our mission partner agencies in the area to inquire about any
immediate needs. If and when we become aware of opportunities to serve,
donate goods, or contribute financially we will pass those opportunities along
to the congregation. In the meantime, if you are purchasing supplies or
food for your home, consider also purchasing additional supplies that could be
donated to neighbors, schools, or community agencies.
Church Events
Many of you may have already received word that we have cancelled our
Bach’s Lunch concert series scheduled for next week. This is
disappointing for all of us who love this event both in our church and in our
community, but at least a few of the artists scheduled to appear have already
said they are willing to participate in next year’s event. Other church
events, such as Wonderful Wednesday’s, are already not scheduled to meet in the
coming week. Going forward, these events and others like them will remain
on the calendar, and we will assess them as needed. The Session will be
meeting on Sunday evening and we will discuss all events on our church
calendar. If you have any questions regarding a church event, please
contact the church office, or check our online calendar.
Flexibility & Communication
In my day’s leading a youth group, whenever we would plan a mission
trip we would always include one important item on the packing list: a flexible
spirit. On a mission trip, flexibility is always a must due to the
unpredictable nature of what might occur. I believe we find ourselves in
a similar situation as we prepare for the next few weeks. Conditions and
updates are constantly changing, therefore we will maintain a flexible and
positive spirit throughout this process. Please pay close attention to
your email inbox, the Starmount website, and our Facebook pages for any
communications or announcements. Also, when you receive these announcements,
please help us by sharing them with others.
Finally, I would like to leave you with three words from the Gospel of
Matthew that have been coming to my mind a lot over the last week or so:
“Consider the Lilies.” In the closing section of Jesus’ Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus gives his followers yet another important set of instructions that
are at the same time powerful, yet difficult to follow. Jesus says to
them, “Do not worry.” He reminds them that if God cares for the birds of
the air or the lilies in the field, how much more does God care for each of
us. This is a wonderful reminder for us during this time, no matter what
the next few weeks might bring. Therefore, just as we take steps to
educate ourselves regarding this health concern, and take actions that are
prudent and responsible, may we also place our trust in God and serve as a
non-anxious presence in our families and our communities. I will be
praying for each one of you, and I hope you will keep all of creation in your
prayers as well.
In Christ,
Charlie Lee