I pray this letter finds you feeling healthy and safe. The Cornerstone leadership is working to help our congregation feel connected to one another, even though we are physically separated. If you haven’t had the chance to check out our website (with pastor’s sermons each Sunday), please check either the church’s Facebook page or you may go onto YouTube channel. We are ever praying for a quick resolution to this pandemic. For now, keep doing what you’re doing, and stay home!
The concerns regarding the coronavirus are real. Real lives are being touched, and real lives are being lost, and real people for whom our Lord died are being affected by this pandemic. As Pastor, I would encourage you to use your own wisdom in determining what would be best and most well-received in your own setting. Do not be afraid to make changes. With any changes you make, err on the side of good, healthy practices.
I would also encourage you to stay well informed of what the health professionals are telling us and to stay in touch with what is happening and being recommended.
With that said, here are a few ways to help minimize the spread of Covid-19:
- Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to halt the spread of illness. Use soap and water, rubbing them together for a minimum of 20 seconds.
- Wearing a mask and gloves when in public areas or outside of the home is recommended by local health authorities.
- Make sure you sneeze or cough in your sleeve; try at all times to cover your mouth.
- Do not touch your face, mouth or eyes when possible.
- Regularly clean household surfaces to help prevent infections in your household. Use hot, soapy water or household cleaning products to disinfect surfaces regularly.
- If you have to be around people, remember the standard 6-feet distance.
Once we come to worship together again, we’ll continue our preventative measures. We will continue the recommended physical distancing. As much as we’d like, we will not be hugging or kissing or shaking hands. Also, those with underlying health issues should wear a mask. Again, when you cough or sneeze, please cover.
Finally, rather than living in fear, let us approach this challenge in faith. We have the opportunity to model to the world what a faith-filled and faithful response can be. Instead of living in panic or fear and being reactionary we should take on personal responsibility. We now have the chance to exhibit a rational and reasoned approach to pandemic.
To this end our trust is in our faithful God. Know that I am praying for you and our church body. I am praying and will continue to pray until further knowledge of the coronavirus is understood, and beyond.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Byron W. McGee