Dear Family, Friends, and Neighbors,
As we continue further into these unprecedented times, you may find yourself feeling dismayed and overwhelmed. Many of us turn to our church community in times like these and that is ever more difficult when those normal operations are shut down as well, leaving some feeling even more isolated. We want you to know that we are here for you and are working on ways that we can support each other through these trying times. Our Council on Missions (COM) met last night via a virtual meeting platform hosted by one of our members, and many others have been going above and beyond in this time of need. It was great to see each other’s faces, hear each other’s voices, and was a rather productive meeting given the circumstances. What follows are some key messages we’d like to pass along:
Finding yourself in need of help:
Wishing you could do more to help:
How might Sunday Worship look moving forward:
Please feel free to share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors outside of our immediate church membership. We want to support the community as best we can too. Be mindful of your safety and the safety of those you come in contact with. Be honest about your own health, isolate as needed, and seek the help and care you may need. We are here for you in body (as much as possible) and spirit. Let’s show how we can truly love our neighbors.
Love,
The United Parish Leadership
As we continue further into these unprecedented times, you may find yourself feeling dismayed and overwhelmed. Many of us turn to our church community in times like these and that is ever more difficult when those normal operations are shut down as well, leaving some feeling even more isolated. We want you to know that we are here for you and are working on ways that we can support each other through these trying times. Our Council on Missions (COM) met last night via a virtual meeting platform hosted by one of our members, and many others have been going above and beyond in this time of need. It was great to see each other’s faces, hear each other’s voices, and was a rather productive meeting given the circumstances. What follows are some key messages we’d like to pass along:
Finding yourself in need of help:
- Please reach out to the church office via phone (978-582-6572) or email ([email protected]) with any needs or concerns you may have. Meg will continue to staff the office as long as she is well, comfortable doing so, and not mandated by government officials to stay home.
- If you are uncomfortable going out and in need of errands run, we have members who will be willing and able to do so.
- If you find yourself in financial distress and need to modify or suspend your pledging, please let the office know and we will discreetly make any necessary adjustments.
- If you are feeling isolated and in need of contact, we have members who would also love to hear your voice and would be happy to make a call.
Wishing you could do more to help:
- Please keep up with your pledging as you are able. You can mail or drop a check off at the church office (39 Main Street, Lunenburg, MA 01462). We are also looking into ways to allow for electronic donations/deposits and will provide further guidance on that when available. Your persistence in pledging will help offset those who may not be able to.
- If you find yourself with the means to do so, we’d welcome contributions to our Samaritan Fund which the pastor can draw from to assist those in need. Just note the purpose of your donation on the check memo (or other means if not a check).
- If you are willing and able to run errands for those in need, please let the office know when and how you would be available to do so.
- If you are willing to reach out to those in need and offer some comfort and companionship, please let the office know when and how.
- There are a number of shut-ins and residents in elder care facilities who can’t receive visitors now. They will need our words of comfort more than ever. Write specific or generic cards (Dear Residents…), or have the kids do so, to let those folks know that we are thinking of them. Draw pictures, send poetry or meaningful scripture passages, anything that might brighten someone’s day. Think too of the critical staff (nurses, police, firefighters, EMTs, grocers, etc.) who risk exposure daily to keep us all sustained and as safe as can be.
- If comfortable doing so, note your affiliation with our church (A member of the United Parish of Lunenburg… On behalf of the United Parish of Lunenburg, etc.).
- Share your talents. Record yourself playing an instrument, singing a song, reciting a meaningful passage and share it with the church office. We can get it posted to our website, our Facebook page, and/or present it during “Sunday Worship”.
- Share your thoughts on other ways for us to contribute meaningfully to the community
How might Sunday Worship look moving forward:
- The Worship Committee will likely continue to discuss additional options and opportunities here, but some considerations are as follows:
- Share our accomplishments over the past week (how many people were helped or supported, ideas to help pass the time, etc.).
- Identify needs for the coming week (who needs errands, who needs contact, who needs prayers if you are willing to share). We will also direct folks in ways to request this anonymously.
- Share the talents we’ve collected over the past week (play recordings of our singers, instrumentalists, and performers) to help brighten the day.
- Share some meaningful scripture or readings and offer up prayers.
Please feel free to share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors outside of our immediate church membership. We want to support the community as best we can too. Be mindful of your safety and the safety of those you come in contact with. Be honest about your own health, isolate as needed, and seek the help and care you may need. We are here for you in body (as much as possible) and spirit. Let’s show how we can truly love our neighbors.
Love,
The United Parish Leadership