October 30, 2020
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
With a few laptop updates last Wednesday afternoon, our Ameren electricity meter transformed into a parallel cogeneration portal, tracking both our solar energy collection and our facility usage of electricity. In our power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hawk-Attollo, we now purchase electricity at an agreed rate that is slightly less than Ameren's current rate. We will have immediate savings because we do not have any delivery charges attached with our electricity generated on-site; only when we have to draw from Ameren do we have those additional charges. Our PPA is with Hawk-Attollo for the next twenty years, with steady rate increases that will likely be smaller than grid rate increases over the long-term. We can also purchase the system from Hawk-Attollo after the seventh year, allowing us to collect and use generated electricity at no cost. We have not eliminated our electrical bill, but we are ahead of likely continued cost increases, with the potential to reduce our costs even more in future years. As far as I know, we have officially become the first solar-powered congregation in Macon County.
It has been announced that as COVID-19 positivity rate has moved above 8%, Macon County will be under mitigations, effective November 2. This mitigation guidance enforces the 25% of room capacity or 25 person limit, whichever is lower. For our sanctuary, it is 25 persons (the 25% of capacity would be 32 persons). As a reminder, we will continue to hold both online and in-person worship unless we are ordered to resume a 10 person or less policy. Fortunately, even our greatest in-person attendance has not surpassed either figure since resuming in June.
With COVID-19 restrictions and mitigations likely to remain in the near future, and recognizing the need and interest in offering online options for livestream from our sanctuary, I have made a few inquiries into installing 2 permanent cameras and sound broadcast equipment and editing. A permanent gateway to our internet system, rather than a wireless connection, would improve reliability and quality of broadcast Estimates for equipment and labor to install two cameras with switching capability is $2000. To better manage sound production, I am looking to move the soundboard from the altar and placing it in the balcony. I have also asked for estimates for a permanent digital LED display system for improved readability of lyrics and order of service than our just acquired smart TV siting in the baptistry.
WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND - Entrusted: Called To Service
REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK SATURDAY EVENING!
We begin a new series this month (November) focused on service and serving the world. Becoming servants is not an easy way to live. Many of us would rather be served than to serve. Yet God's blessings are not for fame or comfort. And certainly the church was never intended to be like a bank or country club. After several tests and schemes failed between challenging and discrediting Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes are both commended and condemned by Jesus. They are commended for sharing Moses's teaching, the very words of the Torah and prophets; they are condemned for not living up to those same words in their actions and daily living, often burdening others with their rules that even they fail to live up to.
There is always the temptation to think that success should result in living a little easier than others. Yet the only one in the Bible who promises to give us everything we desire in exchange for acts of devotion and worship is Satan, not Jesus.
As disciples, we should not, can not, and do not assert rights and privileges. And we work, not to earn favoritism in clubs and marketplaces, nor to wear the best robes or the most pronounced Christian "bling." We are reminded that the best are not served, but servants. That is our duty, and responsibility.
During this weekend's service, we will also recognize the Saints of the church that have passed since November 1, 2019: Doris Greene, Mildred Evans, and Jimmy Kater.
OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK
Pumpkin Patch Sale Concludes We will conclude our joint fundraising for Decatur Area Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, October 31 at 7 pm. The patch, while a little smaller, and with a little shorter time schedule, is still earning almost half of last year's receipts as of Friday afternoon.
Estimates of Giving/Annual Meeting Usually at this time of year we would begin to distribute and collect estimates of giving and pledges for the 2021 year. It has been decided to postpone our giving and pledge drive until January-February 2021, allowing people to be able to know their perspective income in the new year without having to guess in these uncertain times. Our annual meeting, usually held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, is likewise postponed until COVID-19 mitigations will allow us to gather safely in person rather than trying to convene a meeting with online resources.
See you in worship in the sanctuary on Sunday morning at 9 am or Saturday online at 5 pm this weekend!
