A Message from Administrative Council:
updated 11/23/20
To the Congregation and Friends of Brookings First United Methodist Church:
Hello to all and may the beginning of the Advent season bring you blessings!!
At the beginning of November, the Administrative Council decided it was in the best interest of the congregation to hold only virtual Wednesday and Sunday services for the 3 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. We made this decision due to the growing concern of higher COVID-19 rates. We also believed it was important for us to be leaders in the community showing that we are taking appropriate measures to reduce the spread of this virus.
On Sunday, November 22 the Administrative Council again met to discuss this topic. COVID-19 rates are now higher than they were at the beginning of November. Also, Bishop Ough sent a letter to all Dakotas Conference Churches strongly urging them to only hold virtual services through the remainder of 2020.
Therefore, the Administrative Council decided that Brookings First UMC would hold ONLY VIRTUAL Wednesday and Sunday services, including all Christmas Eve services, through the remainder of December. All face-to-face activities in the church with the exception of Head Start, GAP and office staff would be suspended until January.
This decision was not easy. We all feel the pull to be together in the holiday season and to be in worship at church during Advent. But this is a health crisis that we must endure and the best way to do this is to keep up the vigilance of social distancing, washing your hands and wearing your mask, AND, not holding large gatherings which could increase the risk of spreading this virus.
Please be aware that the Worship Committee and Pastors Pete and Krista have made plans for opportunities to worship though out the Advent season. Please join them during the continuing streaming services each week. While the message will be delivered in a different way, the message is still as meaningful, inspiring, and important as any time you have heard this message in the past. In fact, this year it might be even more important for us to consider the reason we find this time of the year to be so important. Jesus was born into our world and came to save us!!
May Christmas find you and your family full of the Spirit that this season brings to people. May we use that Spirit to do everything we can to keep one another safe from the spread of this virus while we continue to let everyone know about Jesus and his work on Earth.
Matt Miller, Administrative Council Chair
Hello to all and may the beginning of the Advent season bring you blessings!!
At the beginning of November, the Administrative Council decided it was in the best interest of the congregation to hold only virtual Wednesday and Sunday services for the 3 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. We made this decision due to the growing concern of higher COVID-19 rates. We also believed it was important for us to be leaders in the community showing that we are taking appropriate measures to reduce the spread of this virus.
On Sunday, November 22 the Administrative Council again met to discuss this topic. COVID-19 rates are now higher than they were at the beginning of November. Also, Bishop Ough sent a letter to all Dakotas Conference Churches strongly urging them to only hold virtual services through the remainder of 2020.
Therefore, the Administrative Council decided that Brookings First UMC would hold ONLY VIRTUAL Wednesday and Sunday services, including all Christmas Eve services, through the remainder of December. All face-to-face activities in the church with the exception of Head Start, GAP and office staff would be suspended until January.
This decision was not easy. We all feel the pull to be together in the holiday season and to be in worship at church during Advent. But this is a health crisis that we must endure and the best way to do this is to keep up the vigilance of social distancing, washing your hands and wearing your mask, AND, not holding large gatherings which could increase the risk of spreading this virus.
Please be aware that the Worship Committee and Pastors Pete and Krista have made plans for opportunities to worship though out the Advent season. Please join them during the continuing streaming services each week. While the message will be delivered in a different way, the message is still as meaningful, inspiring, and important as any time you have heard this message in the past. In fact, this year it might be even more important for us to consider the reason we find this time of the year to be so important. Jesus was born into our world and came to save us!!
May Christmas find you and your family full of the Spirit that this season brings to people. May we use that Spirit to do everything we can to keep one another safe from the spread of this virus while we continue to let everyone know about Jesus and his work on Earth.
Matt Miller, Administrative Council Chair
COVID-19 Info & Health Tips
People should use social distancing (keeping a physical distance of no less than 3ft between you and other persons not in your household) now that the Governor has issued a state of emergency. Please use common sense infection control precautions when out in public –
This includes their hotline 1-800-997-2880
If you are ill and have questions please call your healthcare provider ahead of just showing up at a clinic. Make sure you tell them any symptoms you are experiencing, if you have been traveling, OR if you have been in contact with a KNOWN POSITIVE COVID19 person.
If you are ill and the symptoms are emergent please call 911 and let them know any symptoms you are experiencing, if you have been traveling, OR if you have been in contact with a KNOWN POSITIVE COVID19 person.
Please use reliable resources for information:
https://doh.sd.gov/news/coronavirus.aspx (DOH public COVID-19 information)
1-800-997-2880 (DOH public COVID-19 hotline)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html (CDC information)
Spread reliable information to the public:
Bunny Christie, MS
Infection Preventionist
Brookings Health System
- Consider using online grocery and supply shopping
- If you go out in public – wash or sanitize hands afterward once you are in your vehicle or when you are able to reach a sink.
- Wear a mask if you are ill and must go out.
This includes their hotline 1-800-997-2880
If you are ill and have questions please call your healthcare provider ahead of just showing up at a clinic. Make sure you tell them any symptoms you are experiencing, if you have been traveling, OR if you have been in contact with a KNOWN POSITIVE COVID19 person.
If you are ill and the symptoms are emergent please call 911 and let them know any symptoms you are experiencing, if you have been traveling, OR if you have been in contact with a KNOWN POSITIVE COVID19 person.
- WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN – use soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub.
- Make your own if necessary sanitizer if necessary!
- 1/3 cup 60%-70% isopropyl alcohol and 2/3 aloe vera or other gel/lotion you prefer – you can add 5 drops essential oil if you like that sort of thing!
- Use appropriate respiratory and hygiene etiquette. – cover coughs, sneezes, use a tissue for a runny nose, etc.
- Wipe off high touch surface areas at home, in the car, and at work at least once during the day.
- I know the store shelves are pretty bare of disinfecting wipes. No worries! You can use household cleaners at home with a disposable paper towel (or however you typically clean). Please follow instructions on cleaning supplies as they typically need a few minutes to sit wet on a surface before wiping. You may mix a 1:10 bleach and water solution to clean with as well – TEST YOUR SURFACE FIRST so you don’t discolor anything!
- You can even use baby wipes around public places. Baby wipes are effective at removing bacteria and viruses. People think you have to use an antibacterial wipe but what you are really looking for is mechanical removal (ELBOW GREASE) and some detergent is a bonus!
- You can also make “baby wipes” at home by placing 1 Tbs coconut oil, 1 squirt of baby shampoo, 1 squirt of baby oil, 2 cups of water into a plastic container or baggie (check for leaks!) with any amount of paper towels/napkins sufficient to absorb the liquid. In fact, making your own will put less stress on parents trying to purchase them from already bare store shelves!
- Microfibre cloths are also effective at virus removal. Follow instructions from manufacturers about use.
- STAY AT HOME IF YOU ARE ILL. – If you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, can’t manage respiratory secretions, etc. you need to stay at home! Call your provider with symptoms ahead of time to be prescreened.
Please use reliable resources for information:
https://doh.sd.gov/news/coronavirus.aspx (DOH public COVID-19 information)
1-800-997-2880 (DOH public COVID-19 hotline)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html (CDC information)
Spread reliable information to the public:
- There are over 1 million COVID-19 tests distributed nationwide
- The CDC reported this morning that 2 million more tests are being distributed
- CURRENTLY IN SOUTH DAKOTA – you can’t just walk in and demand testing. Healthcare facilities are screening patients because the Department of Health does not have their total test kit supply yet.
Bunny Christie, MS
Infection Preventionist
Brookings Health System
Commission On a Way Forward Statement
Click on the file to read the statement of inclusion by members of BFUMC who attended our study and discussion on the UMC Commission On a Way Forward regarding the General Conference vote. The Traditionalist Plan was approved by the global United Methodist Church, reaffirming exclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community from ordination and same-sex marriage.
We also encourage you to contact the office if you would like to be a part of a new class to discuss these issues and our faithful response.
Click on the file to read the statement of inclusion by members of BFUMC who attended our study and discussion on the UMC Commission On a Way Forward regarding the General Conference vote. The Traditionalist Plan was approved by the global United Methodist Church, reaffirming exclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community from ordination and same-sex marriage.
We also encourage you to contact the office if you would like to be a part of a new class to discuss these issues and our faithful response.
| 2019_03_26_cowf_-_exclusive_or_inclusive.2.pdf |