Dear Church Family,

How I wish to see all your wonderful, lovely faces gathered before me in worship! However, the deacons and I have made the difficult decision to suspend all services and activities until the end of the month. We will make a decision regarding Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday on the 1st of the April based on what is currently happening in the world at that time. Please, during this time, be wise, be cautious, be safe and do all you can to stay healthy, but do not give in to fear. It will be difficult to go through these two weeks, and possibly longer, without seeing each other. The family, the community, the relationships we have with each other are so important! Please, reach out through phone calls, emails, hand-written letters, social media etc.
Though we will not be gathering, I will still be preparing a message and prayers for the coming two weeks (and will continue the practice if it is longer before we meet again). These messages/prayers will be posted on our church’s Facebook page, and our website on Sunday mornings. I encourage you to spend the Sunday morning hour with this text, with these questions, and with your own questions/thoughts. Listen to some music to help you worship.
During this time of isolation and social distancing, I encourage you to journal or simply write down your questions, your fears, your doubts, your thoughts. Keep a record of them and when we once again see each other we can share them together. Feel free to send them my way and I will do what I can to address them. For those with access to social media, please like/follow the church’s Facebook page and I will do my best to keep us connected that way as well by posting questions we can respond to, prayers, etc.
Due to changing circumstances, my vacation scheduled to begin on March 25th and last through the 31st will be postponed. I will take Monday-Tuesday of each of the upcoming weeks as sabbath days, meaning I will turn my cell phone off, not respond to emails/texts/messages during those days. But you can always reach me in case of an emergency through the parsonage phone as I will be staying home for the next two weeks as much as possible. I will make every effort to reach out via phone/text/messaging/email to check in with everyone over the coming weeks, but feel free to reach out to me yourself, especially if you are having a difficult time. If you have any need that we can possibly assist you with, reach out and we will find a way to help you, if at all possible.
The ministry of the church does not stop simply because we are not meeting in person. We will continue as a church to pray for each other, to pray for our community, to pray for our world. If you have a specific prayer request, the Stoddard’s are the first call on the prayer chain. The giving ministry of the church will not stop either. If we learn of those in need, the love fund can still be accessed. Our mission giving will not stop, funds will still be distributed. The church’s address is PO Box 425 Pine City NY 14871- so that you know where to mail in your tithes and mission giving for the next two weeks.
My friends, if you feel discouraged at not meeting, think of how wonderful it will be when once again we can gather together! Think of the rejoicing that will happen on that day! May it give you something to look forward to, something to remain hopeful for. We will see the other side of this, though we do not know when. Until that time my friends, let your faith remain bigger than your fear, and wash your hands.

With Love,
Pastor Sabrina

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.- John 14:27