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SCC COVID-19 Response 3

March 14, 2020

Dear SCC,

Well, this has been a week hasn’t it. This reach of COVID-19 and the response by governments and community leaders seems to be changing by the moment. I’m at peace that a sovereign and good God is in control of all things, so that we don’t have to be. At the same time, we are faced with ongoing decisions.

Yesterday, I circulated a plan outlining how SCC campuses would be moving forward this weekend. Working alongside the campus pastors, standards were put in place to do our best to ensure congregants safety, without having to cancel services. Our goal was to be proactive rather than reactive, with a wise and measured approach.

With wisdom in mind, and much prayer, the Board of SCC revisited this situation and our response yesterday evening. I’m so very thankful for the maturity, insight, perspective and prayer of our Board. After deliberations, they decided that services in Salmon Arm be canceled this weekend. Previously, we had hoped to contain each service to under 250 people. Yet, due to the possibility of 600+ people moving through the Salmon Arm building over the course of four hours, they concluded that this is the wise and measured approach for this weekend. Services in Chase, Sicamous, and Sorrento will carry on as scheduled, though if you have any symptoms, illness, have recently traveled,or been in contact with someone who has traveled, we would encourage you to stay home.

It appears though that we are being more reactive than proactive. We’re going to do our best to redeem this situation. From the most current information, gathering in small groups at homes is fine. If you are in a LIFE Group, check with your leader to see if there is possibility of gathering together tomorrow. I will be live-streaming prayer and the message on Facebook at 9:00 AM, which will also be available on Facebook immediately following it being live streamed. It will be posted to YouTube later on Sunday. We will circulate sermon notes and questions later today.

Thank you again for your patience in this matter. We simply want to protect the most vulnerable in our church and community, as well as do our part to see this pandemic end sooner rather than later.

We will be working towards a comprehensive worship and care plan next week should we have to continue to adjust. As you pray for the Board, Pastors and staff of SCC, please ask that the God of all wisdom would grant discernment by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

With love,

Pastor Ben
Lead Pastor
Shuswap Community Church