Coronavirus Update

Dear Friend,

Our commitment to ministering to you and our community remains strong. In my previous note regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19, I mentioned steps we are taking by increasing sanitizing efforts and reminding people of common sense ways to prevent spreading disease. Though the situation could change, we intend to keep our normal ministry schedules. Specific concerns based on individual circumstances should be addressed with the leaders of our ministries directly. Below are a few additional thoughts.

First, due to Coronavirus/COVID-19, Louisiana's Governor has issued an executive order closing public schools and limiting public gatherings of over 250 people. For better clarification of how this would impact us, we just completed a meeting with the Department of Education regarding childcare services, and they stated that this ruling does not apply to private childcare organizations like ours.

We will continue to communicate with our local department of health and with our constituents to keep an open dialogue as we walk together through this challenging time. We can all help each other, which leads me to this next point.

Second, we strongly urge all of our families to take extra steps to assist with the current situation. Washing hands, using hand sanitizer, being careful what you touch in public spaces, etc., are all simple things we should already be doing, but especially now.

Regarding our childcare, school, and church ministries and services, we ask that we each vigilantly be concerned and honest with our health conditions. If you have even a suspected communicable illness, please prevent it from spreading. This will go a long way to keeping others safe and healthy.

We encourage everyone to take the appropriate and necessary measures to get checked if they have any signs of sickness. Everyone, but especially staff and students, are urged to follow prescribed steps to rest and fully recover before reentering classrooms, work, public and service areas. Administrators will make allowances to help you with this. If you are sick or suspect you are sick, do not come to a church service. We recommend watching online to stay connected with your church family.

I have no doubt that we will make it through this COVID-19 challenge, and I want to doubly stress that we must lift up each other in prayer. As Christians, we have a firm resolve in our Maker. As Americans, we know we can rely on the One Who founded our nation. This is our place and time in history, and it is not unlike others with stress and unanswered questions. Now is not a time to panic. It is a time for humility and remembering and caring for our brothers and sisters. The principles of faith are sure, and God is always good.

Your Friend in Christ,
Pastor Dennis Schaffer

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