Vaccinations are starting to roll out. Spring is coming. We’re feeling like we’re nearing the end of the pandemic as the light brightens the horizon. We’re anxious to get back together! Here’s a few frequently asked questions and where we are.

Question: Are we reopening yet?
Answer: Not until Medina County  falls to Orange (Level 2). We are closed at  Red (Level 3) and higher. Gov. Mike Dewine puts out a map every Thursday around noon and can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov or on his twitter page @GovMikeDewine.

Once we fall back to Orange, we will be back to three services within two weeks. The two week cushion is to allow our worshipping teams to reassemble and get back into the swing of things.

Question: Will this change now that some members are vaccinated?
Answer: No, not at this time. The science indicates that a vaccinated individual might still transmit COVID, and since I and members of our worshipping team have yet to be vaccinated, we are going to hold steady until we reach the Orange level.

Question: Once we’re back to Orange, since I’m vaccinated that means no mask, right?
Answer: Again, because not everyone in our congregation will have had the chance to be vaccinated, we will still follow the Reopening Team’s guidelines of:
-masks
-social distance
-washing our hands
-cleaning the surfaces

Question: How about small groups or outside groups? When will they be making a return?
Answer: Property and Grounds and the Reopening Team are considering that and will get back to us. Once we fall to level Orange, it appears we’ll have more recommendations about small groups.

Thank you for your questions, understanding, and patience. Here are some further links for those interested:
Link to our Heartland Conference guidelines.
Link to Medina Reopening Team guidelines.  
Link to Ohio guidelines.
Link to CDC guidelines.

Our Wednesday Lenten Discussions are off and running! We’re focusing on the 4 R’s that the Worship Team came up with. We’ll talk about what we received from and how we responded to the previous Sunday’s sermon. Received” is what we heard that held meaning in the sermon or worship service. “Responded” is what we did, like how I donated to the Medina Women’s Shelter.

We will then read and reflect on this coming Sunday’s scripture to prepare us to receive and respond. See how lovely this process is? What a smart Worship Team we have!

We have also have journals available at the church from My Sunday to help us receive Sunday’s sermon. These are free and available to be picked up in the library at the church. They are a helpful tool but not required for our journey together.

Any questions? Please email me! Or call the office. You can register for the Zoom call by here: tinyurl.com/LentZoom

Holy Week will soon be on us! We are uncertain whether we’ll be in person or virtual only. We do have a neat idea for Maundy Thursday. We’ll hold a Maundy Thursday Prayer Vigil. Jesus requested of his disciples in the garden, for one hour “stay awake and pray.” We will hold a vigil from 8 p.m. on Maundy Thursday to noon on Good Friday. We have three prayer spots: the chapel, sanctuary and fellowship hall. Choose one of the locations and hours for you/your family to fill our church with prayer. Sample prayers will be available. Masks required, please.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4fafa62fa3fc1-maundy