Dear Ocala First Church Family,
Grace and Peace to you! As we noted in our e-news last week, given the continued rise in Covid-19 cases in Marion County, our Re-Launch Task Force made new recommendations related to the resumption of in-person ministries to Church Council.
Church Council approved the following general guidelines:
- Our church’s ministry plans related to meeting in-person will be based on specific, quantifiable data for Covid-19 cases in Marion County.
- Our primary data point will be the 7-day average number of cases per 100,000 residents in Marion County.
- Our ministry plans will be organized by phases based on that data. We are using the metrics outlined on this website: (CLICK HERE)
- Red: 25+ cases per 100,000 residents
- Orange: 10-24 cases per 100,000 residents
- Yellow: 1—9 cases per 100,000 residents
- Green: less than 1 case per 100,000 residents
Marion Country is currently at
37
cases per 100,000 residents.
Church Council called on our ministry staff and volunteer leaders to develop a creative and engaging ministry plan for the fall based on the contingencies of each phase. The first of these plans will be shared next week! Beginning in August, we will be rolling out new Bible studies, worship opportunities, mission and service opportunities, children's ministries and more! Stay tuned!
Below we have shared a graphic that outlines the basics of this phased approach. Please note that "outside ministries" and "inside ministries" in the orange and yellow phases include worship. Safety precautions for each phase and other details will be shared as those phases begin.
As we learn more about the virus and how it is spread, we will adjust how we do each ministry. Please remember that we are still working on the specifics for each phase but we have some great things in the planning stages for this fall!
We know there are many differences of opinion on the best ways to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our congregation has chosen a path of sacrificial love after the example of Christ: to “love our neighbors” by “doing no harm.” We have faith that God is at work in and through these new expressions of our church’s life, no less than before the pandemic.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us, and our church leadership, with your questions and concerns. We welcome the conversation as we continue to discern the most faithful way forward for our church.
We love you! We miss you! We are praying for you!
Pastors Anne and David Fuquay
