Friends,
Today I have three topics I want to share with you—a thank you, a update and an important invitation.
First, thank you for your excitement and participation in the Community Bible Experience. I had to order more books yesterday because of your great response. I am eager to see what will happen in each of us as we let the New Testament speak into our lives. Please fully participate in one of the groups—either at church, online, or in people’s homes.
Second, I am grateful for how, amid differing opinions and strong passions around COVID issues, we’ve loved and cared for each other, going beyond our personal preferences to see the needs of others. Yesterday, we heard that our Helena hospital, St. Peter’s, moved to “crisis care.” Helena, our community, has a very serious health situation right now. Doctors in our congregation have told me they have never seen this situation in their decades of medical work. Your Leadership Team met last night and decided to put the following guidelines in place immediately:
Worship Services: Starting this weekend, September 18 &19, masks or face shields will be strongly recommended at the 5:30pm Saturday service and 9:00am Sunday Service. They will be required at the 11:00am service.We hope this will help protect people who are unvaccinated and hope this will be a service in which people who are compromised in any way will feel safe. Remember that Kid’s Church is now available at all of our services.
Kids & Student Programs: To help protect unvaccinated children, masks will now be required in our children’s AWANA program, the Middle School EnFuego program and in our Confirmation Class. We’re requiring children, young adults, leaders and staff to wear masks or face shields.
Individual Adult Groups Meeting in the LCC Building: Individual adult groups meeting in the LCC building (Life Groups, team meetings, GriefShare, etc.) will continue to make their own decisions about masks and food, however, please continue to consider the needs of those in your group.
Also, in light of all of this just as we are launching our Community Bible Experience, several small groups are ready to go on Zoom starting next week. You may consider this the best option for you knowing about Helena’s situation. I have led many groups this way, and it can work well. So please consider this an option.
Your Leadership will continue to monitor our community’s and our church’s situation.
Third, our annual meeting will be Sunday, September 26 at 6:00pm, both in-person and on Zoom. At the meeting, Keith will present his annual “State of the Church Address,” we’ll vote on new leaders and we’ll vote on the final proposed budget. At Life Covenant, everyone can attend and vote. Here is what our constitution says about voting:
…Decisions at congregational meetings shall be made by open balloting. In the event of a vote with less than two-thirds (2/3) majority, a written ballot shall be taken of members only and a majority vote of members present and voting is required for passage of the matter.
This year, you will be able to attend and cast your vote either in person, on Facebook Live, or via Zoom. If you are going to join us via Zoom, email Neil at neil@lifecchelena.org and he’ll get you what you need to be a part of the meeting. I hope you’ll join us.
Finally, recently I shared from Colossians and Philippians,
…As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And, …in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
These are verses that are guiding me and I hope will guide you in the days ahead.
Again, as always, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Keith Johnson