GOING FORWARD TOGETHER

June 3, 2020

Dear Derby Friends Church Family,

“GO FORWARD TOGETHER not simply GET BACK TOGETHER.” These words were included in an email sent out to our Friends pastors from an article written by Jim Le Shana, who serves as general superintendent for Evangelical Friends in Northwest Yearly Meeting. The article elaborated by saying that “going forward implies that we have learned from the past and that we will face the future together in new and fresh ways.” 

For me, that simple statement does well to articulate my prayer for us as we regather for worship this Sunday. What excites me the most about the days ahead is seeing come to fruition the transformation that God has been doing in the hearts of each one of you in our time of being physically apart. To simply get back together would risk ignoring or subduing the things we have learned in this unique season of the church. Instead, we GO FORWARD TOGETHER, learning from where we have been and trusting that God will use it to help shape where we go from here.

As excited as we are about being able to gather together again, we also want to make this as safe for everyone as possible. To best interact with one another out of kindness and compassion when we meet, our leadership team has agreed to have the following guidelines in place. I found these words out 1 Corinthians to be helpful for me to reflect upon as I consider how I can best seek the good of those around me:

“I have the right to do anything, you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others…For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” — I Corinthians 10:23-24, 33

  • Physical distancing measures have been taken in the arrangement of chairs in our sanctuary to provide adequate space between individuals, couples and families.

    • Doors to the sanctuary will remain opened throughout the service.

    • At the end of service, rows will be dismissed.

    • Out of respect for one another, we are asking that you please avoid hugs and handshakes for the time being.

    • Masks are not being required.

    • Initially, we are asking for everyone to limit their activity to the sanctuary and the restrooms on the main floor.

    • All bibles, hymnals, papers, pencils and pens have been removed from the chair backs. Bring your bible with you!

    • Bulletins will not be offered.

    • Food and drink will not be offered.

  • Hand sanitizer dispensers are now available throughout the church building.

  • Our worship service will be for the entire family, with no childcare or children’s church provided until further notice.

  • We are encouraging adult Sunday School classes not to meet, at least for the first week or two, to keep things simplified and give us all a chance to adapt to being together again.

  • Offering collection boxes will be located in the sanctuary in place of passing the offering plate.

  • Live-streaming of our service is in the process of being made available through Facebook Live. The plan is to post a link on our website and Facebook page. The live-streaming will be a new endeavor, so we ask for your patience as we work out the logistics.

    • If you have experienced any COVID-19-related symptoms recently or if you have compromising health issues, please continue to join us from home. If you’re not at a place where you are comfortable coming back right away, we understand. Know that your church family loves you and we want to care for you, and we encourage you to continue worshiping with us in Spirit until you’re ready to re-join us in-person.

We realize there will continue to be ​a wide range of emotions​ and opinions about gathering in-person again. Some people may have reservations about gathering in-person at this time. Others have been ready to gather in-person for several weeks. I had a conversation with one of our elders on Monday evening and after our discussion we came to the consensus that one of the best pieces of advice we could offer in preparation for Sunday is to lay down our assumptions of what we think it will or should look like when we meet in exchange for extra amounts of grace for one another!

Thank you for your continued prayer and support as we walk this journey and go forward together.

- Josiah