Churches to Close Through March
Effective Immediately
March 19, 2020
Dear Michigan Church Family,
Earlier this week on Tuesday, we stated that churches could physically meet as long as the shared space had 50 or fewer members in compliance with the corresponding state executive order. However, we are now asking that all churches close their doors through the month of March and have your members worship via live-stream (see options) in their homes. Out of a deep sense of duty and responsibility to our most vulnerable members and community, we urge all members to adhere to the mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer individuals.
We have also closed the conference office out of an abundance of caution. All office personnel will work remotely through the month of March and will be able to receive phone calls to the office. We are also working towards developing various ministry and outreach initiatives to reach our communities during this time.
Also, the Lay Advisory scheduled for Sunday, March 22 and the Michigan Conference Executive Committee scheduled for March 24 have been postponed. The tentative plan is for Lay Advisory to meet on April 5 and for the Executive Committee to meet on April 7 via ZOOM or teleconference.
We are living in unprecedented times, and now is the time to come together in spirit as a conference family for prayer and encouragement. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).