We continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Currently this means that we are following the state-wide mask mandate for indoor businesses and schools. Regrettably, this makes our in-person worship less than ideal. Balancing our desire to worship unrestricted and our commitment to public health has been an ongoing and evolving strategy. We thank you for your understanding. A more detailed strategy is listed on this page.
If this year has taught us anything, besides patience, we have learned the importance of being adaptable – to be ready to pivot and shift how we do things in order to do ministry in an ever-changing environment. The First Church staff has been dedicated to this throughout the pandemic.
Because of our current COVID circumstances, we realize we need to pivot from our plan to return to two different worship services to a plan to continue with our current blended 10 a.m. service as we enter the fall season.
The markers that we will look for and that we need in order to be prepared for going back to two different services include:
UPDATED FALL MINISTRY PLANS:
Beginning September 12
Beginning September 19
Youth ministry plans:
Come mid-November, the program staff will return to this conversation to determine what is the best worship, children, and youth ministry schedule to be implemented after the holidays. We appreciate your support, prayers and participation as we all continue to be Devoted to Christ, Connected to others, and sent to serve.