God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change… Psalm 46:1-2a
Dear members and friends of the Pacifica Synod,
The earth seems to have changed a lot in the past week. On Wednesday and Thursday, I met in person with pastors and deacons from San Diego county, and we discussed what we would do about the coronavirus. I had planned on Wednesday afternoon to write a pastoral letter, encouraging people to follow CDC guidelines but otherwise go about business as usual. But hearing the news on Wednesday, receiving the California governor’s recommendation that groups of 250 or over not meet, and learning more from public health officials about their recommendation for what they called “social distancing,” I changed my tune. Bishop Erwin of the Southwest California Synod, our neighbor to the north, and I wrote a joint letter with recommendations for our congregations, which we sent by email Thursday evening. Our synod also has a webpage devoted to COVID-19 information and resources. By Friday, yesterday, I began hearing that many of you are planning to cancel public worship, while others are live-streaming services and encouraging those who are medically vulnerable to stay home, and still others are closing preschools in order to stem the spread of the virus.
I also heard about virtual Bible studies, confirmation classes, and fellowship events so that congregations can continue to gather people in community while safeguarding the health of their neighbors. I am in awe of your creativity and your commitment to your congregations. If you are a Pacifica congregation and are live streaming your services, or providing other in-home worship, Bible study, or fellowship opportunities, please comment on this post and let the rest of us know what you are doing. Feel free to provide links to resources. It is good to hear and learn from each other what is being done in the synod to help sustain faith and community while we need to be apart physically. If you wish to live-stream your service, our synod webpage has resources that provide instructions on how that can be done.
I would encourage you not to forget those who would be most hurt by social distancing. I think of school children who are dependent on meals served at schools, people of all ages who rely on the church for a sense of community, the economically disadvantaged who live paycheck to paycheck. Please find out what social services in your communities are doing to aid people in need and see how your congregation can support others. Also, please discourage your people from hoarding needed goods, such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other necessities. Instead, let us encourage one another to share what we have, remembering to keep our distance (thus leaving necessities at the door of someone who is ill or medically fragile, so we do not inadvertently spread the virus). I am convinced that Jesus, who generously gave even life itself for our sake, will live in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit, helping us to give generously to others in need.
I keep you all in prayer, praying weekly for each congregation, and today I prayed for each congregation a second time, as you adjust to a new abnormal (at least I hope and pray it is abnormal, and lasts only a short time). I know you will do what Christian congregations are called to do. I know you will preach the gospel, proclaiming God’s presence, love, and grace, in a world filled with fear. I know you will love one another, encouraging each other in the faith and in doing good works even while keeping your distance. And I know you will love your neighbor, seeking ways to help mitigate the effects of this “social distancing” for the most vulnerable in our midst. For God is at work in, with, and among you. Have hope and faith in God and keep your eyes open for ways God sustains you in the days and weeks ahead. I look forward to hearing your stories of God’s sustaining care for you and your congregations.
May God be with you.
Bishop Andy Taylor
March 14, 2020
Here is what we have sent to our community. I hope it is helpful.
MESSIAH UPDATE: CORONAVIRUS
At Messiah, we have committed ourselves to follow the recommendations of federal, state, local and our own ELCA authorities regarding the health and safety of our community. As of 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 14, the Center for Disease Control, the Orange County Department of Health, the California Department of Public Health, and the ELCA still recommend no gathering of over 250 people with a 50-60% capacity in the building. Messiah continues to be within these limits for keeping people safe.
We will be gathering for worship this week at Messiah at our normal times 8:30 am and 10:00 am. Out of an abundance of caution to the changes we made last week we have added additional changes for Sunday. We will not be having Communion and the offering plates will be at the back of the worship center. Also, we will remind people not to sit close to others. The sermon will focus on how we care for each other and how we move from fear to joy. You will have an opportunity to sign up to be a “Buddy” to someone who is in a high-risk category. This involves reaching out with a regular phone call making sure your “buddy” is okay and finding out if they have any need or concern that you or we can help meet.
Balancing the need for social distancing and people’s need for community gathered around God’s Word is very challenging under the current situation. Being proactive is important to us as well as providing a community… both digitally or in person… that is a beacon of light and hope. It is critical to the integrity of who we are and whose we are that we bring the non-anxious presence of Christ’s love to people in every situation. We need to be safe. We need to be faithful. We need to be hope, light, love, and joy to our community and to each other in these uncertain times. Extreme stress narrows our focus and makes us become our smallest self. I am not just a me, I am a we. I am not just an individual, I am a community. The Coronavirus situation may leave someone feeling isolated out of a need to be self-quarantined or just simply out of fear. Let’s make sure that anyone who is isolated knows that they are not alone.
For those who cannot attend or chose to stay home from church, we have enhanced our online worship presence. You can share in Messiah’s worship through this online link. http://www.messiahyl.com/worshipnow/
This week the sermon will be posted by late afternoon on Sunday. In future weeks we plan to have the sermon up by Sunday morning. On our “Worship Now” link there are music links, prayer requests, the opportunity to give online, as well as the sermon and the Messiah Today. In the coming weeks, we will be including a discussion guide for the sermon for use with your family and friends, as well as resources for children and youth.
We care about you and your health so please remember the following:
1) Stay calm and informed through reliable medical sources like the CDC.
2) Phone your medical provider for instructions if you suspect you are infected.
3) Be prepared to self-quarantine if necessary.
4) Avoid large crowds – especially if you are in a high risk demographic.
5) If you feel sick or you are in doubt, please stay home.
In Christ’s joy,
Pastor Bob
Here’s our response to COVID-19 at Christ Lutheran Church in San Clemente.
March 14, 2020
Dear Christ Lutheran Church Family and Friends,
In these uncertain times, we wanted to reach out to you personally about what we are doing here at Christ Lutheran Church in regard to your health and safety. We are especially concerned for those at higher risk of serious illness (60+ years old with serious, chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease).
As the situation around novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we are doing everything we can to provide for everyone’s wellbeing. We are monitoring communication from the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and the California Department of Public Health and following guidelines as recommended. We are also networking with other congregations in the ELCA to coordinate best practices. We are especially mindful of our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by these events including those who are working tirelessly to serve and protect us.
We have also kept in mind that our actions affect others. Best practices, such as washing hands, keeping social distance, and avoiding large-scale crowds to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, will increase the possibility that most cases of the virus would be well within the capacity of our healthcare system to handle. When our healthcare system’s capacity is stretched to its limits, barriers to access fall disproportionately on the poor.
Guidance
On March 12th the California Department of Public Health stated that gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people and that smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled.
Also on March 12th, Pacifica Synod strongly recommended that congregations cancel all non-essential gatherings of people: coffee hours, midweek Bible studies, Lenten soup suppers, and other side activities for the time being. The Synod also recommended that congregations with church schools or early childhood centers be guided by the example of local public schools for deciding when to close schools. Finally, regarding tenant groups, they advised that we should shut as much down as we can until health officials declare the worst to be past.
Actions
CLC Council and Pastor Steve have unanimously decided to temporarily:
1. Substitute both the North Beach and Church Sanctuary services with a livestream of services Pastor Steve will present on March 15th and 22nd. Pianist Russell Crabtree and singer Kenneth Haro have also agreed to use their special gifts to enhance our livestream worship. After two weeks, we will reassess how to worship, study and fellowship together. The service can be accessed by clicking here We will send out another email later today with the link and more instructions. A worship bulletin will also be sent out to you by email each week.
2. Move church activities online for the time being
-Lenten Bible studies
-Book Club
-Church Council meetings as needed
-Transition Team meetings as needed
3. Cancel gatherings we can’t move online
-Memory Care
-Monday Women’s Tea
-Capistrano Beach Care Center March 29th visit
4. Modify our Laundry Love and Homeless Bonfire as follows:
-Bags of coins will be made available at the Laundry Basket by a single volunteer
-Food will be dropped off at North Beach in disposable containers by volunteers
5. Cancel outside meetings through April 15th
-AA Meetings
-Shorecliffs HOA
La Cristianita Preschool (LCP)
Pacifica Synod states that “congregations with church schools or early childhood centers should be guided by the example of local public schools when deciding when to close or how to change procedures.”
LCP has already notified school families that it will close if the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) closes.
Friday night the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees voted to close all District schools effective Monday, March 16, 2020 through April 3, 2020.
Pray!
We encourage you all to pray during this turbulent time. Also, be mindful of how we can help those who are in greatest need.
We pray to you almighty God, in this time of need. You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Do not let us fail in the face of these events. Uphold us with your love, and give us the strength we need. Help us in our confusion, and guide our actions. Heal the hurt, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril; for the sake of your great mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (ELW Pastoral Care, pages 386-387).
Bless you!
Interim Pastor Steve Awbrey, CLC President Kathy Hartl, LCP Director LeighAnn Downie-Economy