Saturday, March 14, 2020
Dear Trinity Baptist Church Family: The last 48 hours have been unprecedented. This is like a blizzard – only worse and more unpredictable. WACS closed academic competition for our high school and then we heard in the media a continuous stream of national sports closings. When rumors began that schools might close, I checked national and state websites that said schools should NOT close. Then, less than 24 hours later, Governor Evers closes all schools in the state and we learn that Fond du Lac is the Wisconsin epicenter of this virus. The governor’s directive runs from 5p on Wednesday, March 18th until at least April 6th – “pending further information.”
Our school staff met this morning to discuss how to move forward with the education of the students who have been entrusted to us. We will follow Governor Evers recommendation and have school Monday through Wednesday of this coming week, March 16-18th. During these days we will prepare families and students for academic work during the days we will be away from school. TBS will not have classes from Thursday, March 19th through our planned Spring Break. We anticipating returning to classes on Monday, April 13th.
I sent some recommendations to the Ministry Committee this morning. At this time, here is what will be happening in the life of our Congregation:
1. No face to face classes – especially for children. Until the governor’s ban is lifted, we will not have Sunday School, Children’s Church, nursery, TBS, Awana, or any youth activities. There will be no Awana on March 18th, 25th or April 1st. The Grand Prix will be moved to April 15th. Parents of TNT and Cubbies clubbers will be allowed to listen to the sections scheduled for the missing weeks, but only those sections. The sections parents will be permitted to hear and sign will be posted on the Awana facebook page soon.
2. We will continue to have our 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship service. Only those who are well and not compromised should come. Families should sit together. Physical contact – hand shaking – should be avoided. Folks ought to try to sit with space between families – this might mean some will have to sit closer to the front! Those who feel it is wise for their family to not attend are encouraged to participate as they can through facebook.
3. We will also not have Sunday night church or Wednesday Bible study this week, so as to limit exposure. In a week or two, we could consider adding these back to our schedule if the situation has improved.
May I state the obvious? We ought to pray – for those who are sick, for God’s protection, for our country, for our ministry to this community, for our missionaries who are in some cases enduring much more precarious situations, and that Jesus be glorified in us at this time. Remember: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Embracing Truth, Pastor