ALL SERVICES HAVE MOVED ONLINE THRU DECEMBER 13...

November 15, 2020

Dear Church Family,

Due to a COVID exposure on October 25, we went to online-only services with the intent to return to on-campus services November 18. We needed to rethink those plans because of three things that happened since we went online-only.

(1). The cases we’ve had. In the two weeks following our COVID exposure on October 25, six of our people have been diagnosed with this virus. Three were hospitalized. One of those three died from COVID complications. We need to pray for that family.

This reflects an upward trend happening in our state, our county, and the counties around us.

(2). Both the local high school and middle school have shut down till November 30 to prevent the spread of COVID. That was a situation we felt we could not ignore. From the beginning of all this, we’ve looked to the schools as a gauge of what we should do.

(3). The prospect of exposure and transmission during Thanksgiving. The CDC is warning that holiday gatherings “increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”* Public health officials have observed that family gatherings are partly fueling an increase in cases in Canada, where its national Thanksgiving was celebrated Oct. 12.** Health officials say clusters of new cases have since been tied to those family get-togethers.

Because of this, the staff and deacons decided it was wise to once again err on the side of caution and respond by remaining online through December 13, provided conditions have improved. That puts two weeks between Thanksgiving and the possibility of someone being active at church, since it takes up to two weeks for symptoms to manifest.

Just as soon as we can get all this behind us we will come back full swing. Above all, we have always united around the gospel and always will, regardless of how we feel about COVID or anything else going on around us. We’re family. Forever family.

Thank you, church, for supporting me, your staff, and leaders the way you have.

On the journey,

Pastor Brad

* https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

** https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/large-gathering-covid-spread-1.5777867

REGISTER FOR THE 10:30AM SERVICE

Go here to register you and your family for the 10:30AM service. Click the green box that says "Sign Up" and then "Submit and Sign up" below. That will take you to a page where you can give us your name and how many are in your party, including the option to make reservations for KidsView. Click "Sign up now" and you're registered!

Or you may call the church office @ (615) 379-8013 and leave a voicemail with your name and how many will be in your party. Thanks for helping us keep everyone safe!

READ THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PREPARED BEFORE COMING. THANKS FOR HELPING US KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

Join us at either service

9:00AM Service - MASKS REQUIRED

Reservations are not required for this service but masks are. KidsView is open for children birth through 4th grade. Face masks will be available, but please bring your own if able.

10:30AM Service - RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Reservations are required (see above). Masks are optional. KidsView is open for those who register.

Wednesday Night Bible Study is now on campus and online @ 6:30PM.

Please do NOT attend on-campus gatherings if...

...you are exhibiting any symptoms associated with COVID-19, have a fever, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive (either through family, friends, or work), or have traveled internationally or to a domestic hot spot in the past two weeks.

Here's what you need to know before joining us for on-campus gatherings

Seating capacity is very limited in order to maintain social distancing and suggested capacity guidelines.
Personal contact of any kind — handshaking, hugging, etc. — is discouraged for now to prevent possible virus spread.
Everyone is encouraged to wear a face mask on campus as suggested by the Governor's guidelines.
The coffee area will remain closed for the time being. Please feel free to bring your own coffee.

For those who aren't ready to return to on-campus gatherings

If you aren't ready to come back yet, please know that you're not being unfaithful or cowardly. You're just being careful. Join us online for now. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Here are some helpful articles worth reading

"Is Congregational Singing Dangerous?"

"Church, Don’t Let Coronavirus Divide You"

"2 Reasons Re-Opening the Church Will Be More Challenging than Closing the Church"

"When Your Church Reopens, Here’s How to Meet Safely"

"CDC Guidelines for Community and Faith-Based Organizations"