Dear Church Family,
The media and government officials have continually warned us that the corona virus, COVID-19, is a deadly pandemic. After watching the ravage in China, the rising death rate in Italy, and the rapid spread in the U.S. we are all praying for those effected by the virus and that we have learned the importance of social distancing to slow the spread. Our state of Virginia has asked all non-essential travel and meetings be curtailed. Our hope is that we have learned our lesson from Asia and Europe and can lessen the effect of the disease in the United States by following strict social distancing.
To that end, Mark Cornman, Chairman of Deacons, has polled the Deacons. I have polled the Church Council and the vast consensus is that we close our church through April to protect our congregation.
I know this interrupts our Holy Week - Easter celebration. I propose that after it is safe to meet again, we set a date and celebrate Easter then.
I plan to have sermons each week on Facebook and our website. I have been advised to produce those from my home office rather than travel to Woodstock. The production quality will not be great, but it will give us a chance to gather via media to celebrate Christ together. Pray for my technical skills to get this done.
I am available by phone, 804-840-2806, and email, pastorbrucefbcw@comcast.net. You can contact your deacon if a need arises. Please keep in contact with each other and pray for one another.
This pandemic gives new urgency and meaning to the church from the following scripture: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Blessings,
Bruce Queen, Intentional Interim Minister