March 12, 2020
Dear SCC,
The leadership of SCC is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. We regularly receive updates from global, federal, and provincial health authorities. We have also received information and recommendations from the Canandian Council of Christian Charities. Additionally we are engaged in a collaborative information exchange between various other churches in BC and Alberta. As of today, there is no national crisis and only 39 cases have been confirmed in BC.
Many sources of information are available and one of the best from a local perspective is the BC Centre for Disease Control (www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel))
Our goal as a church community is to remain open and healthy, continuing to be a welcoming place for all people to experience the transforming power of the gospel. As such, we are taking steps to ensure the continued well-being of our church family.
- The most important thing we can do to prevent coronavirus and other illnesses is to wash our hands regularly and avoid touching our faces.
- We should also cover our mouths when we cough so we are not exposing other people to our germs. Either cough into a tissue and dispose of the tissue into the garbage, or sneeze into your elbow.
- Refrain from customary greetings such as handshaking and hugging during the remainder of the flu season. Welcome people with a wave and a smile!
- If you are feeling ill, we ask that you stay home. A livestream of the sermon in Salmon Arm and other past sermons are available on our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/shuswapcommunitychurch). Various giving methods are also available on our website (www.aplacetobelong.ca/giving). And as always, if you are away from the church because of any kind of illness, please call or email the church so we can pray with and for you.
We are considering adjustments to certain practices including the passing of baskets for offering and communion in order to restrict contact. We will keep you informed as decisions on these issues are made.
As a precaution, the Adult Ministries group in Salmon Arm has cancelled their gatherings on Fridays until further notice. If further restrictions or cancellations of gatherings are required we will do our best to inform you in a timely manner. As Christians we must remember that in matters like this, God invites us to trust in Him rather than worry or panic. We want to be led by faith rather than fear.
We will continue to monitor the situation in the weeks to come and make necessary adjustments to the church schedule and practices accordingly.
Sincerely,
Andy deHoog
SCC Executive Pastor