The April 6, 2021 announcement of heightened public health measures and the return to Step 1 on the Provincial Path Forward has necessitated a review of our plans to relaunch Saturday evening and Sunday morning services in early April. We’ve hit the ‘pause’ button one more time.

At each stage in this marathon journey our posture has been to demonstrate care and concern for our community and to stand with our most vulnerable by limiting our freedoms when it seemed wise to do so. At this critical juncture in our collective effort to minimize the impact of COVID-19 and its variant strains, we have chosen one more time to be active participants in seeking to lower infection rates and hospitalizations.

The last time we had to make this difficult choice we were headed into the darkest and coldest months. This time, we benefit from warmer weather, longer days, increasing vaccine availability, and the lessons we’ve learned and continue to learn. I’m particularly proud of creative leaders across our ministry who have not focused on what we cannot do but on what we can.

Easter weekend services and on-campus Communion provided ample evidence that many are longing for human connection. There’s a pull toward the sacraments and for mutual edification, encouragement and prayer. The good news is these needs can be met apart from large, indoor worship gatherings.

While we wait until it’s safe and responsible to gather as a large faith community again, we’ll continue to emphasize opportunities for safe and distanced drop-in connections, as well as Life Groups gatherings online and in-person. We’ve got spacious parking lots and fields at our disposal, and no limits on our creativity!

If you’re part of our church community, thank you for all the ways you’ve adapted in these last few months. If you’re new, or checking us out for the first time, welcome! You belong here.

Greg Hochhalter

Lead Pastor