Dear Crosswalk Family,
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God."
Isaiah 41:10
On behalf of the Crosswalk Board, I want to share with you how we view the COVID-19 coronavirus situation, and the measures our congregation will be taking in response.
First, we encourage everyone to be people of prayer, and be agents of peace, compassion, and care for our families, neighbors, and the world. We are called as Christians to care for our community and those around us. As such, it is our Christian duty to follow the best available guidance that helps to prevent the spread of the disease, and protect our must vulnerable.
It is out of this Christian compassion and concern that we have made a number of decisions about how we as a church will respond:
In accordance with the directive from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan:
ALL CROSSWALK IN-PERSON SUNDAY WORSHIP, CONFIRMATION CLASSES, CARE TEAM MEETINGS, AND ANY OTHER CROSSWALK-AFFILIATED EVENTS
ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
In lieu of in-person worship on Sunday mornings, please join us in worship via our
Facebook Live channel. You can access our live feed beginning at 9:20 AM on each Sunday at one of these links: http://crosswalkmd.com/live or https://www.facebook.com/crosswalkmd/.
Please share these links with friends and family members who are looking for online worship opportunities.
CARING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE
We have mobilized our care teams to coordinate care for those impacted by the outbreak. Care team leaders will be reaching out to you. Please let them know how you are doing and stay in touch to help coordinate care for those in our community who are in need. If you are not sure who your care team leader is, please contact us at info@crosswalkmd.com.
SHOPPING AND ERRANDS FOR OUR AT-RISK POPULATION
Experts have strongly advised those who are elderly and/or who have weak immune systems stay at home as much as possible, and minimize contact with others. To provide support for such at-risk individuals in our Crosswalk family, we will be coordinating assistance through our Care Teams.
- If you are an at-risk individual: Please make sure to be in touch with your care team leader, and do not hesitate to request assistance if you need someone to pick up groceries or prescriptions, or if you have some other errand that you need help with.
- If you are healthy and able to help our at-risk population: Please also be in touch with your care team leader, and let them know that you are available to help. Do not offer assistance if you yourself are sick.
IF YOU GET SICK AND WERE AT WORSHIP LAST SUNDAY, PLEASE NOTIFY PASTOR
While the board is not currently aware of any in our community who have been infected with the virus and attended worship this past Sunday, we want to be extra-vigilant. Therefore if you do become sick with coronavirus-like symptoms, please notify Pastor George immediately.
IF YOU ARE A HEALTH CARE WORKER, PLEASE INFORM YOUR CARE TEAM LEADER
Our health care workers are especially vulnerable. We would like to be aware of all of our Crosswalk family who work in health care, to make sure they are getting appropriate care and support. If you are a health care worker, please identify yourself to your care team leader.
CHURCH FACILITY TO BE DEEP-CLEANED
The Crosswalk board has authorized the church facility to be extensively cleaned using a professional cleaning service. This will be performed over the next two weeks, prior to the planned return to corporate worship on 3/29, and will provide extra assurance as we return to "gather with friends".
CONTINUE TO BE FAITHFUL IN OUR GIVING
While we will not be meeting in person for the next two weeks of worship, we are asking all members to continue to be faithful in your giving. You can put your normal gift in an envelope every week and save it for when you come back to church, use your bank's bill pay option, or donate online via our website at http://crosswalkmd.com/gather-with-crosswalk/donate. If you have questions about how to set up your bank's bill pay, please email us at info@crosswalkmd.com.
ANY OTHER NEEDS?
We are committed to caring for our Crosswalk family, our neighbors, and our community. If you have any particular need, or you are able to help in some way, please be in touch with your care team leaders or Pastor George. It is in times like this we come together as a community to care for our own and those around us.
BE PEOPLE OF PEACE AND LOVE IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES
We strongly encourage you to be examples of Christ's love, peace, compassion, and care to those in your family, your neighborhood, and the communities you are involved in. We pray in this time that Christ be glorified, and that we can have the privilege of being his hands and feet in this world. Please pray for our Crosswalk family, our leaders, health care workers, the sick and vulnerable, and all those who have yet to know Christ as their savior.
Best Regards,
Greg Jose
President
Board of Directors, Crosswalk Lutheran Church