Exciting Late-Breaking News:
On-campus worship will return on Sunday, Sept. 13!!
(On-line worship will continue on forever!)
Dear friends and family of St. James UMC,
We are writing to share the exciting news that we have made the decision to return to on-campus worship, beginning the weekend of Sunday, September 13.
I know we have all been relieved that we are starting to see a steady downward trend to some of the primary metrics for COVID here in Hillsborough County, and our local zip codes nearby St. James. We also are closely monitoring the re-opening of Hillsborough County schools. And, we feel we can provide as much safety & protection as necessary within our large-spaces and ample HVAC systems. Of course, this also depends heavily upon us all enforcing and following protocols of mask-wearing, social distancing, hand sanitizing and surface cleaning. Thankfully, we can also report that we hosted a very successful VBS, with nearly 100 children & adult volunteers. Three weeks later, we still have not received any reports of any cases of the virus from anyone who was present.
A Vision through the Virus - Operation "Re-Connect, Re-focus & Revive!":
Yet, I want to share that I believe God is laying before us, a vision for this next phase that is about even more than the excitement of returning to on-campus worship!
-
Re-Connect: An Invitation for everyone to join a small-groups as the foundation for fellowship & faith, to go along with larger-group worship. We will also be re-starting on-campus Children's & Youth ministry activities.
-
Re-Focus: Everyone sharing in a Church-wide Bible study, "The Disciples Path" - helping us all to learn, together, the primary steps to following Jesus, so that we can all follow Him as one people.
-
Revive! : Experience a new wind of the Spirit reviving our own souls & spirits that have been "pent up" for so long. And, the inspiration for us to offer God's grace as the only thing to satisfy the hunger we of our community & friends.
This is what God has waiting for us everyone. Please join me in praying for us: to receive it all as a blessing from God; to join in small-groups if we are not yet; to learn and follow Jesus in a new, united way; to bring about revival in us and through us!
We will have more information coming, with invitations to the small-groups. We can also use some help to get ready, especially by serving in the welcome teams, and leaders for the small-groups. If you already sense a desire to serve, please email:
[email protected].
Here's the video of the announcement we shared last night for my weekly COVID update:
