November 15, 2020
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, Covid-19 cases in our county have been on an increase during these past several weeks. We have seen a rise in hospitalizations and school closures. This last week, our governor asked Nevadans to stay at home as much as possible to slow the spread and ease the burden on our hospitals. He did not ask churches to close, but after much conversation with our church council, we have made the difficult decision that after today, we are suspending our indoor worship services in an effort to do our part to try to keep our community safe.
We will continue to offer our online service on Sunday mornings at 10:30, and we are thankful that we have the resources to make that such a quality service. We also will continue to have small groups gather here at the church as they feel comfortable. We do ask that if you are in the building that you come only if you are feeling well, wear a mask, maintain six-feet of distance with others, be sure to use hand sanitizer and wipe down any surfaces that you have touched.
We hope that this limiting of services is only for a short time, and we will continue to monitor for the number of Covid-19 cases in the area to decline so that we can soon come together again. With the holidays rapidly approaching, we are unsure what those numbers will do and we hesitate to predict when we will be open again for in-person worship.
I know many are asking about Holy Communion, finding that having the tangible presence of Jesus with them during this time to be so very helpful. During recent weeks, I have been presiding at a virtual communion, and will continue to do so. I am certain that Jesus didn’t have this method in his mind at the Last Supper, but knowing the meaning of the meal is for us to experience forgiveness and grace and know that Jesus is present with us as we journey through uncertainty, I feel comfortable offering an online blessing. If you would like to use bread or a cracker and wine or grape juice from home, please do so. If you feel more comfortable having consecrated wafers, wine or grape juice, you may stop by the church during church office hours and pick some prepared elements up from the kitchen.
Alese will continue to work Monday-Thursday from 10-3 in the church office. I may find that some days, I may opt to work at home, but I am always available, should you need anything. In fact, Jeff and I just got new phones, and with our new phones, we both got local phone numbers, (about time, right?). My new phone number is 775-443-6583 so please don’t hesitate to call or text if you would like.
Holy Cross is moving forward with our plans for the holidays – Decorating the church for Christmas, the angel tree, an online Thanksgiving service, virtual Live Nativity, and an online Christmas Eve Service that will be amazing. We are still exploring how we might be able to host an in person worship service or two for Christmas Eve, but we will all have to remain flexible with that. And along the way, we will continue to find ways to make this season meaningful in our celebration of Advent and a special sermon series on finding the Gospel in our Favorite Christmas movies. More information will be coming about all of these special plans.
We do really need your help as we finish up our annual stewardship program. Next week, we were asking for your estimate of giving cards to be returned to the church, either by bringing them to worship, mailing them in, dropping them off, or you can email what you plan to give to Holy Cross next year directly to Laurel Lindstrom, our acting Financial Secretary. Please return your card. It will be helpful to us as we make our ministry plans for next year.
I continue to give thanks for all of you and for your continued support for Holy Cross and our ministry together. I continue to pray for you and for your loved ones during this health crisis and uncertain time. And I very much look forward to seeing us all together again soon!
May God bless and keep you always!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Kathy Morris
