2. Pastoral Letter from Hal Seed of New Song Church, San Diego County, California
Dear Church Family,
I’m sure every New Songer is as concerned as I am about the Coronavirus and its effects on our lives, families, friends, and church, so I wanted to write you all my thoughts, and what we’ll be doing over these next few weeks.
First, we’ll be adapting with the news. Things changed drastically over the last 36 hours. We’ll continue to pay attention to new developments and directives from the government and respond accordingly. In other words, what I’m writing you at this very moment could change very soon. It’s part of the excitement of life: we get to respond to new situations all the time.
Two major changes that happened yesterday were the major sports leagues shutting down and the state and county issuing directives to cancel all gatherings of 250 and above.
How should we respond? With caution and wisdom.
Last weekend, many people had already begun staying home, so none of our services had more than 250 people in them. This weekend, we expect the same. We’ll count carefully. In the unlikely event more than 250 come to any one service, we’ll open the back café area and seat the extras there.
One of the cautions we were given was to practice “social distancing.” Fortunately, our auditorium seats 600, so with 250 or less, we should be able to maintain some distance between everyone. If you come this weekend, you’re welcome to sit next to your spouse, and perhaps a friend or two, but you may want to spread out and sample less-used back areas and keep some space between yourself and others.
Second, this virus is more dangerous for some than others. Most fatalities have happened to people over 70, and those with respiratory or health issues. If you fall into one of those categories, you should consider worshiping with us online for the next few weeks.
To our knowledge, no children have yet been affected by the virus. Hopefully, they’ll be impervious.
Third, experts believe that a large percentage of us will eventually catch the virus. This is the reality of an epidemic. With no current cure or preventative vaccine, governments are doing their best to “flatten the reproductive rate,” so as not to overwhelm medical workers, and delay as many infections as possible until we have better treatments in place.
To explain this, I’ll paste a few paragraphs from a news magazine about it to the end of this email for you.
Fourth, the last thing any of us would want is to let a virus damage our spiritual growth or distance us from God. This is an important time for all of us to walk closely with the Lord. Don’t let panic keep you from praying. Don’t let worry keep you from reading God’s Word. Don’t let the fear of a virus keep you from loving your neighbor.
Throughout history, Christianity has grown the most when the times were darkest. Our opportunity is this: people are social beings. We like getting together. For the next few weeks, no one will have major events to attend. So, as long as we are safe and healthy, these next few weeks might be a good time to invite a friend to play games or chat at your house. This could be a strategic time to build or deepen friendships with your neighbors.
Like Esther, who knows, perhaps we were put where we are, for such a time as this?
Fifth, the virus might not be as bad in San Diego as it will be in colder parts of the country. The article I’ve included says most viruses “thrive in cold and humid air.” We’re one of the warmest regions of the country. Once these storms pass, we’ll go back to being arid as well.
Sixth, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Some of us may suffer a bit during these next few weeks, but we’ll never be without the awareness, love, and care of our Savior. Have faith and choose hope. The Lord wants to redeem this crisis and use it for good!
OUR PLANS, FOR NOW:
We’ll continue to meet for worship on weekends, making sure our assemblies stay below the 250 level. We’re sanitizing all high-touch surfaces at the church. If you can, wave at people rather than touch.
I encourage young and healthy people to attend, I encourage “older people” and those with health challenges to consider worshiping with us online. The service starts at 11 a.m. at www.newsongchurch.com.
Click the link at 10:45 a.m. or later and you’ll see a pop-up that will guide you to the service. Please check into the chatroom, so you can participate with other on-liners, rather than just “spectate.”
I hope those of us who are healthy will continue to meet with our Life Groups. Use wisdom and discretion, but don’t shrink back in fear.
We’ll continue to stay flexible. We’ll pray. And let’s help each other, and care for our neighbors who may have concerns or questions during this time.
Some trust in chariots, others in horse, but we want to continue to trust in the name of the Lord our God. Let’s rise above this situation, in faith!
I love you and am praying for you!
Hal
