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~We've Moved To All Online Worship~

Watch Live on Sundays On Facebook at 9:30 am

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We Continue To Post All Sermons On  Our Website 

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Building Usage Limited To Church-Sponsored Groups Until Further Notice

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West Deer Food Bank Is Open

Donations Appreciated ~ WDFB Contact, Carol 724.312.5656

A Letter From Rev. James Ramsey

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November 17, 2020

Friends in Christ,

I want to report to you the decision we made at our Special Session Meeting following worship last Sunday.

Beginning Sunday, November 22nd (this coming Sunday), we will move to all online worship offered live on our Facebook page at 9:30am.  It will be archived, so if you miss the live version, you can see the archived video on our website and Facebook page.

The elders, Pastor Jo and I did not come to this decision lightly. In fact, after such a meaningful, inspiring and energetic Sunday, it was hard for us to vote to move entirely to “online.”

OUR RATIONALE

·         While we are confident our COVID policies and protocols have been rigorous and effective, we have watched

infections rise rapidly, not only around the country, but specifically in Allegheny County and surrounding counties.

·         While we are not aware of any COVID-positive cases that have occurred within the church community that would

have exposed us in worship, we feel it responsible to act before that happens.

·         Every medical voice we have consulted agrees that through the Thanksgiving holiday, cases, and therefore the

potential for exposure at church, will only increase.

·         While we are fortunate to be able to worship in an indoor space as large, open and well-ventilated as the EUCC,

it is still an “indoor” space and not perfectly safe.

·         This past week Pittsburgh Presbytery recommended that all churches shift to online worship until such a time as the

incidence of cases is greatly reduced in our area and/or a sufficient portion of our community has received an effective vaccine. (See the attached letter from the Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge, Executive Presbyter.)

OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES

We do not plan to “lockdown” the church at this time, only to move to online worship. That means planned activities such as the Deacons’ distribution of Thanksgiving Baskets, the FoodBank, the Christmas Swag pickup, and Drive-up Breakfast with Santa will all occur as planned, of course with masking and social-distancing guidelines being strictly followed. A.A. and Boy Scouts will continue to meet.

Our Deer Lakes Nursery School was given the option of staying open. However, Director Cheryl Haynes has decided to close through the holidays. Cheryl made that decision to protect the health of her students, their families and her staff.

We pray for your health and vitality, that of your family and our congregational life. We eagerly look forward to that time when we will again meet together in person. We anticipate a return to in-person worship when area COVID cases return to a more acceptable level, hopefully by January 17th.

In the meantime, please know your pastors are here for you, and remain available for care and support. God bless and keep you safe this Thanksgiving.  

Peace,

Pastor James

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We are God’s people and this is God’s church.

What a blessing to be part of what God is doing here!

Thank you for your support as we partner with God in taking care

of our community.

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