What Events Are Canceled?
All worship services, meetings, classes, and rehearsals are to cancel, postpone, or meet virtually for the next two weeks. Among other things, this includes Sunday worship services, Wednesday night dinners, youth and children programming, all Bible/book studies, and music ministry programming.
Please note that the funeral for Mike Harry -- already scheduled for this Saturday, March 14 @ 11A -- will happen as scheduled. There will be no reception following the service. We are asking anyone who is sick or with underlying/preexisting medical conditions to please attend the service "virtually" via the live stream that will broadcast at
www.sspres.org
.
Barbara Cowden's 100th birthday party on March 21 has been indefinitely postponed. Kate Buckley's ordination service on March 22 will be rescheduled to a later date. A decision about the Day of Service - currently scheduled for March 28 - will be made later this week.
Sunday Worship Video Online
The worship team is currently working to plan an online worship opportunity. We will share this via email, Web site, and social media as plans are finalized.
Church Office and Staff
At this time, the consensus is that our staff can safely continue working during normal weekday hours. People will still be welcome to come by the church office at any time individually or in small groups, pastors will continue making visits, etc.
We will also be stepping up our communications and other ways of staying in contact with parishioners while we are dispersed. O
bviously, we will adjust as needed if a staff member feels sick or the situation changes in a way that makes it no longer safe to keep the office open.
Preschool
The longstanding policy of the St. Simons Presbyterian Preschool is to follow the decisions of the Glynn County School System. If the school system closes then the preschool will follow suit. Currently, we plan to stick to this approach.
Social Distancing & Practical Considerations
Please read the following articles for more information on the importance of Social Distancing and how it can help during a pandemic.
Other practical thing to continue doing during this pandemic include:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds. Frequently.
- Keep your hands off your face, particularly your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Get a flu shot.
- Disinfect the surfaces in your home and office.
- Don’t go to work (or school, or church) if you are feeling sick.
Giving and Church Finances
The expenses of the church continue during this hiatus and so we are hoping that pledges and donations will also continue. We realize many people already give online or at particular times of the year; however, if you desire to give in a "non-digital" fashion, know that donations can be mailed or dropped off anytime.
Are Other Churches Canceling Worship & Events?
Yes. We are not the first and will not be the last to take this action. Many churches throughout the state and nation are now taking this step for the same reasons we are. As of this morning, in our own community, this includes Christ Church Frederica on the island and Temple Beth Tifilloh in Brunswick.
Renovation
As of Thursday, March 12 the contractor did not anticipate stopping work on the renovation project. Obviously, if a member of the work crew becomes sick or it is not safe to be on the worksite for any reason, we will support the contractor's decision to temporarily halt work. There is also potential for unforeseen delays as a result of supply chain interruptions but at this point that is not an issue. The building committee and session will continue monitoring.