March 20, 2020
Dear Church Family,
I want to update you on the church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You are no doubt already aware that the Governor Raimondo has instructed people not to gather in groups larger than 25, to observe social distancing guidelines, and to remain home as much as possible. Those over 60 years of age and persons with medical issues are urged to remain at home altogether. Because the pandemic is likely to continue for some time, the Church Council met (via video conference) on March 19 to determine the best plan for Arnold Mills United Methodist Church. The Council voted to suspend all worship services until such time as public health officials indicate it is safe to resume them. Additionally, the building will be closed to both church-related activities and outside group use until further notice. These were difficult, but necessary, decisions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Let me assure you that, although we may temporarily be without a church building, we are not without a church! Our ministries have not been suspended. We will continue to offer worship, study, fellowship, pastoral care, etc. – albeit in new and different ways. Here is what we know so far:
Stay safe. Be kind. Take care of each other.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Arlene
Dear Church Family,
I want to update you on the church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You are no doubt already aware that the Governor Raimondo has instructed people not to gather in groups larger than 25, to observe social distancing guidelines, and to remain home as much as possible. Those over 60 years of age and persons with medical issues are urged to remain at home altogether. Because the pandemic is likely to continue for some time, the Church Council met (via video conference) on March 19 to determine the best plan for Arnold Mills United Methodist Church. The Council voted to suspend all worship services until such time as public health officials indicate it is safe to resume them. Additionally, the building will be closed to both church-related activities and outside group use until further notice. These were difficult, but necessary, decisions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Let me assure you that, although we may temporarily be without a church building, we are not without a church! Our ministries have not been suspended. We will continue to offer worship, study, fellowship, pastoral care, etc. – albeit in new and different ways. Here is what we know so far:
- For the time being, we will livestream worship via Facebook on Sunday at 10:30 AM. Participants will include myself, Music Director Joey Mazzarella, and choir member Pam Thurlow. Please be aware that it is not necessary to have a Facebook account to access the church’s page. Simply go to www.facebook.com and search for “Arnold Mills United Methodist Church”. If you watch us live at 10:30, you have the option of commenting in real time and using the response emojis. When worship is over the videos will be archived on our Facebook page, so you can view them at any time. We may determine at some point that Facebook is not the best medium for worship and switch to another platform, but we will be sure to announce any change well in advance.
- Following worship, I will host a “Virtual Coffee Hour” via Zoom (video conferencing on your PC, tablet, or phone). Grab your coffee and a snack and join us for fellowship. You’ll be able to see all the participants on your screen (think “Hollywood Squares” or “The Brady Bunch”). Each Sunday morning I will post a link on Facebook and the church website to access the Zoom “Coffee Hour”.
- Each day I will post a brief video reflection on our Facebook page.
- Our church office manager, George Jutras, will be working primarily from home. However, he will be checking the church voicemail frequently and will return your call as soon as possible. The church office number is 401-333-5203. I will also be working from home and can be reached there at 401-335-5156. George can be reached by email at [email protected] and I can be reached at [email protected]
- We will be communicating through email, Facebook, and the church website (www.amumc.org). If you are not already receiving the weekly emails from the office, please contact George to have your address added to the mailing list. If you do not have internet access, please let George know and he will mail you any news or important announcements.
- Church committees, Bible study, and book discussion groups will all continue to meet via Zoom.
- I will be holding “virtual office hours” on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:00 to noon via Zoom. Unlike the group Zoom meetings, the format will be one-on-one meetings. The link to enter my virtual office’s “waiting room” will be posted on Facebook each Tuesday and Thursday before 10:00 AM.
- I will host a prayer meeting via Zoom each Tuesday evening at 6:30. The link will be posted on Facebook prior to the meeting each Tuesday. If you are unable to attend, you can email me your prayer concern and I will share it with the group. Please note that (unless you indicate otherwise) those prayer requests will not be included on the public prayer list that George sends out in an email each week.
- It will be important to maintain a sense of community even though we are physically separated, particularly for those who do not have internet access and cannot participate in opportunities for “virtual” community. We are in the process of developing a telephone tree, so those who are isolated will receive a phone call a couple of times a week from another church member. If you would be interested in being a caller, please contact me or George.
- We are also working on organizing volunteers who would be willing to lend a hand to people who need help, such as picking up a grocery order or prescription for someone who is unable to leave the house. Please let me or George know if you would be interested in being on such a list. If you know someone who has a need, please be sure to let us know.
- Watch for information on an upcoming weekly “Kids’ Time” on Zoom. This will be a time for me to touch base with the church school children, as well as giving them the chance to see one another. We’ll do something fun for about half an hour (such as inviting the kids to tell jokes). I welcome suggestions for what day and time would be most convenient for families.
- If your children would like to create cards, write notes, or draw something for our homebound members, please let George know and he will send you their names and addresses.
- Please remember that the church continues to need your financial support. You can mail your offering to Arnold Mills United Methodist Church, 690 Nate Whipple Hwy., Cumberland, RI 02864 (Attn: Financial Secretary), or give securely online at our website (www.amumc.org/give), or use your online bank’s Bill Pay option.
- Being a temporarily “virtual” congregation is uncharted territory, so as we experiment with different ways of being church, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Stay safe. Be kind. Take care of each other.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Arlene