Wabash & New South
Connection
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Superintendent's Notes
Greetings Wabash and New South Conferences.
As we continue to navigate this pandemic and seek to lead our churches, I want to share with you my thoughts about how to make decisions during this time.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I heard someone say "At some point, we will all become experts in how to navigate life during a pandemic, but we aren't there yet!"
I found this statement to be encouraging during a time of uncertainty. It is striking to me how God has built humanity with the ability to adjust to the shifting demands of life. And somehow, life finds a way.
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As we make decisions as leaders concerning masks, gatherings, services etc... I would encourage us to balance personal responsibility with local community guidance.
There seems to be a new emphasis, as we navigate these times, upon personal responsibility. You will often see/hear this kind of guidance:
- Masks are optional for all attendees.
- Hand sanitizer is available upon entry.
- Guests are asked not to attend if they are feeling ill, are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.
And among workers/volunteers for Children's ministry/Youth Ministry:
- Masks or face shields are optional for children and volunteers..
- Supplies are prepackaged.
- Hand sanitizer is available.
- Children are asked not to attend if they are feeling ill, are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.
(Ironically, these statements were taken from North Point Community Church in Georgia Safe Environment statements. North Point took one of the strongest stances early on in the pandemic by closing their campuses from July 2020 through January 2021. Covid cases are higher now than they were then in Georgia.)
I think the emphasis upon personal responsibility is crucial in navigating this time well.
But we must also pay attention to local community guidance.
Here is where we are in Wabash/New South concerning state guidance and mask mandates (taken from USA Today Mask Mandates by State)
Illinois: State Mandate in Place for the Unvaccinated
Gov. J.B. Pritzker put a mask mandate into place effective May 1, 2020, requiring that individuals in the state wear a face covering in public indoor spaces, and when expecting to come into contact with non-household members within 6 feet. Children 2 years and under are exempt from the mandate, as are individuals with certain medical conditions. On May 17, 2021, Pritzker aligned the state's mask mandate with CDC guidelines, allowing those who are vaccinated to go without masks in most situations. On July 27, the state adopted the CDC’s latest guidance, recommending that people once again wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in areas where COVID-19 is surging. On Aug. 4, Pritzker introduced a mask mandate for all students in schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Since July 27, 2020, individuals were required to wear a mask or face covering in the state when visiting public indoor spaces and when unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from non-household members while outdoors. Gov. Eric Holcomb let the mandate expire on April 6, and a mask advisory now takes its place, recommending but not requiring that masks be worn. Masks are still required in government buildings, at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites and at K-12 schools.
Gov. Andy Beshear initiated a face-covering mandate beginning July 10, 2020, making face coverings required while using public transportation, in all businesses and when a distance of 6 feet is difficult to maintain in all public indoor and outdoor spaces. Children 5 years and younger were exempt from the mandate, along with individuals actively exercising at a gym while maintaining a 6-foot distance from others, and those with disabilities that prevented them from safely wearing a face covering. Beshear announced that starting April 27, groups of fewer than 1,000 individuals could gather outdoors without masks, although those who are not vaccinated should continue wearing masks if a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained from others. And on May 6, the governor announced that people who are vaccinated may gather in small groups indoors without masks. Following the CDC's indoor mask recommendations for vaccinated individuals, Beshear announced that the state would immediately follow the new guidance, allowing those who are vaccinated to forgo mask requirements indoors. On June 11, the state's mask mandate was lifted. On Aug. 10, Beshear announced that masks would be required inside schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Gov. Bill Lee has advised individuals to take personal responsibility when it comes to wearing face coverings in public, especially in indoor spaces and when social distancing is not possible, but no statewide mandate has been ordered. Multiple counties across the state had initiated mask mandates, but Lee signed an executive order in April that removed local authority on mask mandates.
Notice how difficult it becomes to make statements across state lines given the cultural nuance each state brings to approaching mandates. And even within each state, local city governments have a say (except in Tennessee :)
At this point in the pandemic, we balance personal responsibility with local community guidance AND our desire to love our communities well.
This is why you will not hear from me a Conference wide announcement about what every church should do... other than make sure you are processing these decisions with your Board and leadership team using the grid of personal responsibility, local community guidance and loving our communities well.
(Of course if things get really bad I reserve the right to change my mind)
I know that you are tired of this. And I know that you are getting "decision fatigue". This is why I am becoming more convinced that this balance between personal responsibility and community guidance is the only way forward.
May the Lord continue to give each of you wisdom as you navigate this period and may God continue to build his church and extend the reign of his kingdom.
God bless
Superintendent John R. Lane
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Did you see the article about Librado and Bianca Aleman from our El Pueblo de Dios church in South Bend, IN?
What a great highlight of God's work in and through the lives of these young leaders!
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Training concerning Emergency Preparedness
From Tim Porter
Dear Chaplains,
Currently there are wildfires raging in the Western States, hurricanes/tropical storms slamming the gulf and East Coast, tornadoes in the Midwest and South, and a persistent COVID pandemic threat. Is your church prepared to respond to natural disasters?
Dan Coleman (spouse of Chaplain Cheri Coleman) will be leading a 3-part Zoom webinar, Are You Prepared? How to Start an Emergency Preparedness Program.” The webinar will be held on September 14, 21, and 28 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Dan is a member of the Cucamonga Christian Fellowship (FMC) in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He was formerly the Emergency Management Agency Regional Program Lead for San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties. Dan has been involved in leadership of the San Bernardino County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster since 2014. Dan holds 16 FEMA certificates in emergency management and a credential from the California Office of Emergency Services that qualifies him to work in any local or state Emergency Operations Center. Dan is the Training Coordinator for the national faith-based organization, Building Resilient Communities: https://www.brcus.org/
Click on the link below to register by September 13.
Sep 14 - How to Start an Emergency Preparedness Program 12-1pm
Sep 21 - Building Your Team and Preparing Your People & Facility Inspection and Asset Inventory 12-1pm
Sep 28 - How to Develop an Emergency Action Plan 12-1 pm
Blessings to you!
Tim
Rev. Tim Porter, DMin
FMC-USA Endorsing Agent
Co-Director of Chaplain Ministries
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Andrea Tinsley is in her final stages of partnership building as she prepares to move to Medellin, Columbia. Her target date is to land on October 17th, but she still has some monthly commitments to raise.
Andrea is open to sharing with our churches through the end of September on Sundays, Wednesdays or during the week at special events.
As we all know, partnership building is a team effort between our missionaries and our local churches. Would you consider either having Andrea come to speak (especially new places) or passing on an appeal to your congregations?
Andrea's email is: atinsley@wfmc.net
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This is just a heads up that information about the 2020 Annual Report will be released in the next few weeks.
This means that it would helpful if you began making sure you have information about last year's attendance averages, finances etc...
This may seem like an impossible task given the shutdowns and online services, but we will have more direction for you when we know more.
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Reminder that Freedom Sunday is coming in September. It is officially held on September 19th but depending on your church calendar can be held anytime from September 19th till Holy Week 2022.
Freedom Sunday seeks to help our people understand and address the reality of modern human trafficking. Here the link for more information: Set Free Movement Freedom Sunday
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Contacts
Wabash/New South Superintendent: John Lane
New South
Wabash
Wabash Park Camp & Retreat Center Reservations- Renita Joles
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