We pray you are well, and drawing near to God who loves to draw near to us (James 4:8). In this time of global pandemic, we wanted to bring you up-to-date on best Covid-19 prevention practices and resources.

Jesus told us that we love Him by caring for “the least of these my brothers and sisters.” Let us make every effort to love one another in ways that care for the health and wellness of each person we meet. In light of the rising wave of coronavirus cases in the state of Oregon and in our county, beginning Sunday, Nov. 22nd, we are moving our worship services online for the rest of November. On Sunday, Nov. 22nd, and Sunday, Nov. 29th, please join us for worship via livestream (on our church YouTube channel) at either 9AM or 11AM, or watch our recorded livestream services at a later time here. We will not have “in-house” Sunday worship on Nov. 22nd or Nov. 29th. We will continue to meet “in-person” with our Grow Groups and other small groups.

With coronavirus cases on the rise in Oregon and around the country, Governor Kate Brown, at a press conference on Nov. 13, 2020, announced a two-week “freeze” statewide in Oregon in an attempt to curb the fast rising trend of coronavirus cases. This two-week “freeze” includes limiting worship attendance to a total of 25 people. Out of love and concern for “the least of these my brothers and sisters” (Matthew 25:40) who are most vulnerable, we are taking the additional step of moving all our worship services online for the rest of November, beginning Nov. 22nd. We will update you regarding worship in December, as we prayerfully respond to developments and public health guidance in the weeks ahead.

On November 12, 2020, our Leadership Team approved a Covid-19 Action Plan (you can read this plan here) prepared by our Community Church Covid-19 Taskforce. This Covid-19 Taskforce includes members of our Leadership Team, members of Community Church, and three medical professionals. We encourage all our Community Church members, friends, guests and staff to follow the guidelines and prevention practices presented in this action plan to stay healthy and prevent the spread of Covid-19, especially in this season

Best Covid-19 Prevention Practices

  1. Wear a face mask:
    1. Anyone 5 and older;
    1. When with people who are not part of your family household;
    1. In indoor public spaces, including in the church building;
    1. In outdoor public spaces when physical distancing of at least six feet is not possible.
  2. Keep safe distance:
    1. 6 feet or more physical distance from people outside your household;
    1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
    1. Avoid spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact.
  3. Wash hands often.
  4. Monitor your health daily.
  5. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, then throw tissue away.
  6. Disinfect surfaces frequently touched.
  7. Keep indoor spaces well ventilated: Increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors and using fans.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

— Psalm 91:1-3 (NLT) 

RESOURCES

Covid-19 Action Plan

COVID-19 ACTION PLAN

Pastoral Letters

PASTORAL LETTER NOVEMBER 14, 2020

PASTORAL LETTER AUGUST 21, 2020

PASTORAL LETTER JULY 22, 2020

PASTORAL LETTER JULY 10, 2020

PASTORAL LETTER JUNE 12, 2020

PASTORAL LETTER MAY 28, 2020

PASTORAL LETTER MAY 6, 2020

LEAD PASTOR DAVID’S LETTER MARCH 26, 2020

LEAD PASTOR DAVID’S LETTER MARCH 16, 2020

LEAD PASTOR DAVID’S LETTER MARCH 14, 2020

COVID-19 Resources

Local Health Resources

Clatsop County Department of Public Health https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/publichealth/page/coronavirus-what-you-need-know

Seaside Providence Medical Center https://www.providence.org/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus-advisory/

Columbia Memorial Hospital https://columbiamemorial.org/covid-19-updates/

State and National Health Resources

Oregon Health Authority https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/emerging-respiratory-infections.aspx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2020/coronavirus-safety-and-readiness-tips-for-you.html

Covenant Church Resources

Pacific NorthWest Conference http://pacnwc.org/covid-19-resources/

Evangelical Covenant Church (national)  https://covchurch.org/covid-19/

Other Resources

Red Cross Strategies for Self-Care

Red Cross “Healing Emotionally”

Creative Ways to “Go With Christ” into our Community

Scriptures to reflect upon during this time

CALL TO PRAYER

Let’s daily continue to pray for God’s healing grace to be at work in our community, state, nation, and world, slowing the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), and bringing healing to the thousands of people who are suffering from this disease worldwide. May you know the power of God’s love, be filled with joy in Christ’s presence today, and in the weeks ahead, may we all prayerfully approach God’s throne with confidence, asking for God’s grace to help us in our time of need.