Letter to Brookings First United Methodist Church Family
Regarding the COVID Virus and the upcoming Advent Season
November 22, 2021
Greetings to everyone as we enter the season of Advent,
Advent season is a time of anticipation. We are expecting a change in the weather; we prepare our homes for family visits and holiday gatherings; and we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. 2021 is also a time of anticipation of a return to church traditions and celebrations that were missed in 2020.
In 2020 we moved our Advent and Christmas church celebrations online to protect our community from the COVID virus. This year things have improved with the availability of a vaccine - but the threat of COVID remains. Just recently several Brookings citizens have died from COVID and hospitalizations continue. We urge everyone, if they have not already done so, to get the COVID vaccination, and if you have already been vaccinated, to get the booster shot. We believe this to be the best protection from the virus.
In 2021 we will again enjoy our Advent and Christmas services, but we will remain vigilant to protect one another. We therefore ask people attending services to help in mitigation procedures by doing the following:
We hope that everyone can enjoy a return to the traditions of Advent and Christmas services. But throughout this entire pandemic, it remains our goal to protect one another from the virus. We believe that these procedures will allow us to have our traditional services while being careful to protect one another.
May you all have a blessed Christmas season.
Matt Miller (on behalf of the Recovery team).
Greetings to everyone as we enter the season of Advent,
Advent season is a time of anticipation. We are expecting a change in the weather; we prepare our homes for family visits and holiday gatherings; and we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. 2021 is also a time of anticipation of a return to church traditions and celebrations that were missed in 2020.
In 2020 we moved our Advent and Christmas church celebrations online to protect our community from the COVID virus. This year things have improved with the availability of a vaccine - but the threat of COVID remains. Just recently several Brookings citizens have died from COVID and hospitalizations continue. We urge everyone, if they have not already done so, to get the COVID vaccination, and if you have already been vaccinated, to get the booster shot. We believe this to be the best protection from the virus.
In 2021 we will again enjoy our Advent and Christmas services, but we will remain vigilant to protect one another. We therefore ask people attending services to help in mitigation procedures by doing the following:
- We strongly urge everyone to wear masks while in church buildings. This is not a mandate for masks, and no one will require you to wear one, but we strongly encourage the masks. We continue to follow the guidelines that have been set forward by the CDC, State of SD and City of Brookings based on the level of spread status of the community. The gathering and celebrating of the holidays provides the opportunity for the virus to spread. Wearing masks during the services allows us to protect each other. Masks are always available at the door as you enter the service.
- Wash your hands and use sanitizing cleansers.
- We will not have large choirs singing Christmas carols. We will be led by smaller vocal groups and musical items. Please enjoy the sounds of the Christmas music.
- The balcony will be a place where social distancing will be maintained. This area will be a place for those wanting to maintain social distancing, families with young children or people not vaccinated.
We hope that everyone can enjoy a return to the traditions of Advent and Christmas services. But throughout this entire pandemic, it remains our goal to protect one another from the virus. We believe that these procedures will allow us to have our traditional services while being careful to protect one another.
May you all have a blessed Christmas season.
Matt Miller (on behalf of the Recovery team).
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 |