Moving Forward

Greetings Folks,

I am tremendously grateful for your faithfulness to be a part of the services via live stream for the past two months, but it is time to move forward.

Governor Whitmer has issued a new Executive Order which now specifically enables individuals to drive to, and attend services at church. Following are the applicable excerpts from EO 2020-70: (I have put the specific relative statement in bold letters.)

16. Nothing in this order should be taken to supersede another executive order or directive that is in effect, except to the extent this order imposes more stringent limitations on in-person work, activities, and interactions. Consistent with prior guidance, neither a place of religious worship nor its owner is subject to penalty under section 20 of this order for allowing religious worship at such place. No individual is subject to penalty under section 20 of this order for violating section 15(a) of this order (15.Rules governing face coverings. (a) Any individual able to medically tolerate a face covering must wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth—such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief—when in any enclosed public space.)
17. Nothing in this order should be taken to interfere with or infringe on the powers of the legislative and judicial branches to perform their constitutional duties or exercise their authority.

As ridiculous as it is to have to say this, individuals are free to go to church now, even under the current “stay at home” order.  Just as going to the grocery store, gas station, and parks to hike is all right under the “stay at home” order, going to church for church services is now considered a legal reason for leaving home.

We will be opening the church for people to attend all the services starting on the Wednesday evening service, May 20.  The Deacons and I met Thursday and we decided on a path to having in-house services resume.

I will be posting more information outlining precautions and procedures we will be taking as we resume coming together as a church family. We will be following CDC and Insurance recommendations.

Sunday morning in the live-stream morning service I will be giving more details as we are Moving Forward.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim Whitman