Faith life and the public health effort
Dear Faith members,
Along with the rest of the American community, we need to pay attention to the COVID19 (coronavirus) threat. Among us at Faith we have an incredible resource for this: Deb Burnet at the U of Chicago is Professor of Medicine; Chief of Internal Medicine; and part of the Senior Leadership Team that is designing the response of the ambulatory care units at the U of C Medical Center (about 100,000 patients).
The evidence is that we can go ahead with worship tomorrow, and with the Radloff memorial on Monday. The U of C response team people say this is very low risk, as the infection incidence in metro Chicago is still very, very small.
Worship changes for these services will incorporate every hygienic discipline we can provide: Holy Communion by individual cups, use of the ASL “peace” sign, etc. Both during the education hour (9:45-10:45) and at noon, Deb will be in the sanctuary to present on the public health effort and the response in the religious community. Come to learn, and come with every question you’ve got.
Beginning next week the infection incidence in metro Chicago will no longer be negligible, and Faith will participate in the community-wide effort to slow the spread and keep people as safe as possible. After the Radloff memorial we’ll close down social gatherings at the church, including worship, through at least March 30.
I’ll be at the church building, mostly by myself, over the next two weeks. Feel free to call, message me, whatever. We’re exploring virtual alternatives – email messages, “virtual community” – to keep in touch, and keep informed.
We are a praying community. Lots to pray for, these days. Pray for those in the medical community, and others, who will be working harder than ever through this time. May God bless us all; may God bless our national response.
Pastor Klonowski