Please stay safe.

That is our number one concern now and always. We care about the safety and well-being of all of our members, friends, family, and community. And while this crisis forces us to make some life changes for the time being, we can still be the family of God for one another.

Social distancing is tough. We are a people who thrive on community. But I hope you will think of social distancing as a way for all of us to help care for God’s children. This is simply finding new ways to love each other. Different, but still an action done out of love.

On our church blog (which you are reading right now) we will post the latest updates to the crisis and how they affect our congregation. Hopefully, we won’t have to update often, but while we are all trying to “flatten the curve” and stay ahead of things we want to be sure to find new and creative ways of still being active in our community and in our care for each other.

Here’s what we know today:

• The CDC has recommended that all social gatherings of 50 or more people be suspended for eight weeks (as of 3/15/2020)
• The State of California has issued a full “stay at home” order for all residents. No end date was announced (as of 3/19/20)
• The White House has called on all organizations to cancel events of 10 or more through the end of the month (as of 3/16/20)

How has this affected our community at BMUC?

• Our church facility is closed to all group meetings – this includes Sunday worship, choir practice, Men’s and Women’s Group meetings, and the UMW Craft Group.
• Worship will continue to take place! We may not meet in person, but you can join us each Sunday by joining us on ZOOM or watch on our Facebook page where you can interact with us directly.
• We will still be conducting meetings – just virtually instead of in-person. Contact Rev. Craig to use our ZOOM account (or to find out what ZOOM is).
• We are encouraging new ways of doing God’s work in the world! We’d love to hear your ideas. Just call or email or message Rev. Craig. In the meantime, please check our Facebook page for regular updates
• In-person visitation is temporarily on hold. Funerals and weddings are encouraged to be postponed but may be held if there are less than 10 attendees and everyone maintains safe social distancing of 6 ft or more.

I want to encourage you not to fear. Not to panic. Not to worry. These are indeed troubling times, but we are the people of God and we can help to carry each other’s load. I am reminded in these times of a passage in Ecclesiastes:

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Take heart everyone! Let’s work together to love one another, to care for our church family, and to reach out to our community. Perhaps in these times most of all we can be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

Peace in Christ,
Rev. Craig