As you will recall, we suspended in-person worship in mid-November due to the spike in the number of cases of COVID-19. We set January 17 as a possible date to resume in-person worship, thinking that three weeks past the Christmas holiday the numbers of infections might be in decline. Unfortunately, our COVID numbers locally remain quite high and show no decline in recent weeks. Hood County remains at “substantial” risk for COVID transmission. Additionally, several of our church members have had or currently have the virus. The ad hoc committee charged with evaluating the pandemic numbers and reporting to the Session has continued to meet regularly to review weekly statistics.
We feel the safety of our congregants is of the utmost concern and that with no decrease in the number of infections it is unwise to resume in-person worship at this time. We also think it prudent to suspend small group gatherings – PW, Men’s Study and Sacred Space, etc. – until we can more safely be together. We will continue to review the situation weekly and will return to in-person gatherings when a decline in case numbers and an increase in vaccinations indicates that we may do so safely. Please know the decision to suspend in-person gatherings is not one we take lightly and it’s disappointing to have to do so. We simply feel it is the safest way to proceed to ensure the safety of each member of First Presbyterian.
We will continue to monitor the situation and we will keep you posted on decisions going forward. Your support in these past many months has been tremendously gratifying. Thank you. Please continue to join us for worship Sunday mornings via YouTube and Facebook.
