As I’m sure you’re all aware, the cases of coronavirus in our East Texas communities are rising, our hospitalizations are increasing and infections within the schools are spreading. (CLICK HERE to go to the Net Health statistics page.) We have been extremely diligent in our church to maintain 6′ distancing, sanitize hands and, require mask-wearing in and out, and I am not aware of ANY reported cases of people in our church. We had 2 church members in nursing homes test positive but were asymptomatic and both recovered quickly, thank God!
However, the spike that is creating hot spots all around the world has prompted our Bishop, Mike McKee, to send a very direct mandate to all the churches in the North Texas Conference requiring masks to be worn in ALL spaces at all times. SEE ATTACHED LETTER. So, out of an abundance of caution and with the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, we will be pausing all church worship, Sunday school classes and, activities for 2-week. All buildings will be closed beginning today through Sunday, November 29th. Worship will be online ONLY on 11/22 and 11/29 and, the church leaders will monitor the situation closely hoping to be back for worship on December 6th. When we do return, masks will be required to remain on through the service and in all gatherings.
The Church Council has not made this decision lightly but we are aware of covid outbreaks in some of our neighboring churches who have also had to make these same difficult decisions, so we are all working together in these difficult decisions.
UNTIL WE KNOW MORE … please take this ANONYMOUS 4 quick question survey and help know your thoughts in moving forward. CLICK HERE
Let us pray for spiritual endurance and continue to care for one another and check in on our neighbors!
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” ROMANS 5:3-4
Pastor Debbie
First United Methodist Church Winnsboro
301 Church Street, Winnsboro, TX. 75494
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(903) 342-6172 (PASTOR EMERGENCY or TEXT 972-896-5254)