COVID-19 May Update
May 1, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Idlewild Presbyterian Church,

A new month is upon us and we have watched this Spring arrive in novel ways. May blessings to each and all of you. At Idlewild, so much of what we do revolves around our community and those whom we serve. With the Holy Spirit – Worship, Outreach, Formation, Nurture, Re:Creation – these ministries are things that are best done together and in person. 
 
With COVID-19, we lament the disruption of our regularly scheduled rhythms of worship and practices and programs of faith. At the April 15th Session Meeting, our elders confirmed that Idlewild would continue virtual worship and minimal programming, with the church campus closed, until at least May 31st. 
 
A group of physicians and administrators are gathering and planning together. They are in regular dialogue with the staff on the relevant data for COVID-19 in Shelby County and the State of Tennessee. This group, through the Clerk of Session, will make a recommendation to the Vision Council, and subsequently to the Session at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 20, regarding our gradual return to “being the community of faith at Idlewild.”
 
In the meantime, the following are several examples from our ministry units of how we are adapting to being together while staying apart.
 
Worship
  • Sunday Morning Virtual Worship at 11:00 with combined Presbytery leadership
  • Carillon Ringing

Formation
  • Virtual Adult Sunday School
  • Tuesday Men’s Bible Study
  • Young Adults Theology on Tap
  • Presbyterian Women Zoom Circle
  • QUEST and BASIC Zoom weekly meetings

Nurture
  • Congregational Care calls
  • Yoga with Emily Mulqueen
  • 1750 Arts Collage Zoom Class

Outreach
  • Mid-South Food Bank Distribution Wednesday Mornings
  • More Than a Meal to go distribution on Thursday Evenings
  • Mask making with the PW and members of the congregation

Administration
  • Weekly videos from staff members
  • Twice weekly Zoom Drop Ins and chat
  • Monthly Session Meetings
  • Diaconate Meetings
  • Shepherd Group Formation

COVID-19 has shifted how we worship and serve, but not who we serve- a God who offers us abundant life in Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. As decisions are made, we will be in communication with you. Thank you for being the church. As May begins, we invite you to pray at 1750 (5:50) each day. A daily prompt will appear on FB and be available through the website .    


With Gratitude,

The Reverend Anne H.K. Apple, Executive Associate Pastor and Transitional Head of Staff

Heather Chauhan, M.D. and Clerk of Session