Dear Family --
We are in unprecedented times and our conference leadership is leading to their best of their abilities and to the utmost of care for people. This document details the Conference plan for us to reenter worship. Currently, we are in Phase 1 -- in which we have all been walking. Currently, this is to last through June 15. The bishop may decide to move to phase 2 at that point in time. Phase 2 still does not allow for in-person worship, as I read this. This means, likely, we will not be able to meet for worship before the end of June. There are four specific phases but all of them do not allow public singing. There is a lot of data out there, I know, but the data being followed and aligned with by leadership reports that singing can be dangerous in the spread of tiny droplets that have the potential of spreading COVID-19.
I wanted you to have this document. For Westside, especially, the idea of not singing in worship might feel about as outlandish as can be. This means your worship design team and you all will need to be walking into new creativity of what worship will look like as we all move forward. The document is for your perusal. We will be reporting to the District Superintendent what we plan to do as we move toward in-person worship. But obviously, that is still a bit in the future.
One thanksgiving, first service has been practicing worship without singing for years and years. We have watched a song, often, but not sung with it, except in the rare week. This says we have experienced impactful worship without singing. We can do this.
So, read this document. Feel free to ask any questions you might have to me or the worship design team, Susan Brehmer, Fred Cooper, and Sandy Holt.
Grace and mercy.
Brian