Since I wrote you last Wednesday, things have drastically changed in our nation. The president, our governor, and Wake County have all issued declarations of emergency and have called upon all citizens to practice social distancing to help stem the rapid spread of the deadly coronavirus. Most all public large gatherings have been canceled, many colleges and schools have canceled on-campus classes and events, and many churches have done the same. The United Methodist Churches and the Episcopal Churches in North Carolina have closed for two weeks, and Ted Churn, our Executive Presbyter of New Hope Presbytery, has urged all Sessions of churches in our Presbytery to cancel all gatherings for two weeks.
After much prayer and discussion, our Session has unanimously voted to cancel worship, meetings, and activities at Trinity, effective today (Saturday, March 14) through at least Saturday, March 21. The Session will meet via email on Wednesday of next week to determine if it is safe to return to a normal schedule or to extend the ban beyond March 21.
This has not been an easy decision to make. This will disrupt a lot of preparations for Holy Week and Easter, but given the seriousness of this unprecedented medical crisis in our lifetime and the fact that we have so many members and visitors over the age of 65 (who are the most vulnerable to this disease), the Session believes this is the most prudent and responsible thing to do. If you have any questions please call me at 919-624-4471 or email me.
Let us all pray for our nation, that our leaders in government at all levels and the medical providers will make the right decisions and take the right actions to stem the spread of this disease and to treat those who have been infected. And let us also pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones or have loved ones seriously ill. I pray that you and your family and friends and neighbors will practice safe behavior as prescribed by the Centers for Disease Control. May God bless us all and help us to have faith, relying upon God and one another to get through this difficult time.
