WORSHIP | Update

Hey DOWNTOWN CHURCH,

It’s been a year: A wild year.

A year of sadness, and also a year of hope. A year of changes to all aspects of our lives, including the ways we experience and know God and our friends at DOWNTOWN CHURCH.

With all of this continual change, we (the Session) want to give you an update.

We are celebrating the case numbers going down and the vaccine distribution. We thank those who have fearlessly and tirelessly worked throughout this year to keep us all going. We are also mourning the hundreds of thousands of lives lost. We are working to stand with those who are facing the devastating effects of this global pandemic. And we are aware that there is still much work to be done to keep us safe.

We have loved our ability to gather in-person on the back lawn, and are grateful to all those who have joined in worship with us.

We are hearing your questions, most of which revolve around returning to our indoor space. We also want to get back inside. But it’s going to be different. Our Worship Task Force is meeting regularly. We’re looking at the numbers. We’re consulting experts. And we’re actively discerning how to logistically move forward, loving God and loving our neighbors as we have been called to do.

Therefore, like we have many times this past year, we’re going to try something new. Within the next two months we are going to experiment with an indoor/outdoor worship experience at Central Energy. It is a worship experience that values our goals of safety and creates an environment for people to encounter God and one another authentically.

We ask that you give us grace. Grace when worship looks different than it did this time last year. Grace when there is still no coffee. Grace when you are required to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Grace while we socially distance and limit the number of people who can sit inside. And grace when we remind you of the importance of these safety protocols before, during and after the service.

We know our decisions are never perfect, but we will continue to be prudent and faithful as we discern what we feel is best not only for DOWNTOWN CHURCH, but also for the greater community.

More details will be forthcoming. With excitement to continue to grow and worship together.

Your siblings in Christ,

The Session of DOWNTOWN CHURCH

David Sloan
Gloria Richardson James
Lisa Hammersla
Helen Johnson
Frank Mood
Julie Livoti
Wes Hickman
Sarah Shell
Donna Waites
Mario Melendez
Sara Hazzard
Bert Kemper
Lucas Jones
Dawn Hyde