Dear Church Family,
As September approaches I wanted to give an update about our church’s plans for the fall. Obviously, there is still a lot of uncertainty about the Corona virus and many differing opinions about opening things back up. Businesses, schools and churches are all trying to decide how to reopen in the safest and most responsible manner. We recognize that in our church alone there are many different ideas and feelings concerning this. The elders and the staff are meeting regularly to pray, discuss and discern the right steps for us to take moving forward. With that in mind, we have come up with this preliminary plan for September. We are anticipating a three-pronged approach to Hood River Alliance’s reopening efforts.
First, we will continue to live stream Sunday service. The inconvenience and challenge of the Coronavirus has pushed us to innovate in many areas of ministry; implementing the technology to live stream has been a rewarding challenge, and an important part of our ministry moving forward. We will continue to provide live streaming and will resume audio streaming so people can participate in our services however and whenever it is convenient and possible for them to do so. If you fall into one of the at-risk groups for coronavirus or choose to stay at home for the time being, we encourage you to use this option to participate in our Sunday worship services.
The second way you will be able to participate is through in person Sunday worship services. We are excited and anticipate being together in person once again in September. We have all felt the loss of community and long to be together again worshipping, praying, and interacting with God’s Word. However, there will be changes; there will be no children’s classes, nursery or preschool offered initially (thought children are welcome in the service. There will be a limit on attendance and reservations will be necessary. We will require the use of masks and social distancing guidelines as outlined by the Health Department. We will open by offering one service at 10am but if attendance requires it, we will move to two services at 9 and 11 to give us time to properly sanitize the building in between gatherings. The staff and Elders are discussing ways to do this in the safest and most natural way possible.
The third and new way to gather together for worship services is through what we are calling House Churches. House Churches will be smaller gatherings of people who will meet in homes to watch the services either on live stream Sunday Morning or at another time during the week. These House Churches will require leaders who will open their homes, invite, and gather others to worship, pray and study together. This is already taking place in small pockets of our fellowship and we hope to see it grow and increase as people catch a vision for it. House Churches would limit contact to a smaller group, could include children and increase a sense of community for those who are feeling isolated and alone. We will be offering classes at the end of August either in person or on Zoom to help equip and train people to lead these House Churches. If you are interested in hosting a House Church, please contact office@hralliance.org to be placed on the contact list.
We look forward to what God will do among us as we take these steps moving forward. The Church of Jesus is alive and active; it is made up of people, not buildings or institutions. You are the Church, and even in the midst of a pandemic you exist to bring beauty, order and abundance to the world. The good news of Jesus is our primary message and mission and this can be shared and experienced inside or outside of a building.
God tells us in scripture of the importance of gathering together as believers to equip, to build up, and encourage one another. We are looking forward to doing this in new ways this fall for the well-being of believers and the Glory of Jesus our King.
Grace and Peace,
Steve
As with most things in 2020, these are best laid plans but with the changing nature of COVID-19, any and all reopening efforts are subject to change. Please keep an eye on our website for updates: www.hralliance.org