Dear Avondale Family,
I am excited to let you know that this Sunday, June 13th, our worship service is going to be offered indoors in the Family Life Center at 10 AM. Our COVID-19 Safety Task Force has worked diligently to examine the risks to the health of all the age groups in our Avondale Community. Their recommendation, with the support of our Session, is to ask everyone to please wear a mask and observe physical distancing while worshiping indoors in order to help keep our children and those unvaccinated in our congregation safe. We will also provide a live streaming option for those who would feel safer at home. A link to the online service will be included in the Sunday worship email. Sign-up to attend in-person is no longer required and nursery services are not available this Sunday.
Other safety precautions will include:
- Physical Distance Seating
- Limited Congregational Singing
- Tithe & Offering Stations
- Outdoor Fellowship Opportunities
In addition, because of a previously planned Avondale Mission Trip, I will be out of the state for the next two Sundays. Combined with the holiday of Independence Day, the next three worship services will be offered online at 10 AM. Next month, our in-person worship will resume on July 11th at 10 AM in the Family Life Center.
In 2016 when we transitioned to one service, the 9:30 hour was selected to serve the needs at the time. Five years later and after many changes, the 10 AM time is more fitting to the growth and evolution of our congregation.
Naturally, for some of our folks these options for worship with minor adjustments will feel like we are moving too fast. For others, it may feel like we are not moving fast enough. Either way, please know that our Safety Task Force, Worship Committee, and the leadership of our Session are doing everything we can to create a worshipful experience for our community while at the same time keeping everyone safe.
We hope that you will be able to come out and join us at 10 AM this Sunday for a wonderful time of worship and meaningful fellowship at your church.
I look forward to seeing you then.
Grace & Peace,
Jim
