Worship – March 29, 2020 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLloPNQuRmg

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Good Shepherd Family –

 

At our (virtual) Council meeting on March 24, the GSLC Council had some challenging conversations about where we are headed in the next days and weeks. The Council plans to meet weekly to continue these discussions and lead the congregation forward in faith. The following decisions were made by the Council (none of which were made lightly):

 

We will not gather physically for worship or any other activities at 300 Union Ave until at least April 30.

What does this mean?

 

• Because of the governor’s order regarding gatherings and for the safety of our members, we will continue to host worship on digital platforms. This includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as well as Sundays, April 19 and 26. 

• Information on all worship services, including times, will be released as they are creatively imagined in this new format! 

• Our Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter worship may not look the same as previous years, but we will still worship as we enter these days of triumph, service, sacrifice and resurrection.

• First Communion will be rescheduled (again) from April 26 to a later date.

• All other activities will be hosted on Zoom or postponed. More information will be sent as we have it available. 

 

We are asking that you continue giving (as you are able) and that all giving be deemed regular offering. 

What does this mean?

 

• In a situation where we are unsure of the exact ending, we need to maintain as much as we can so we have a church to come back to when all this is over. That means paying the mortgage, keeping up with the utilities, paying staff, etc.

• All Extra Mile Giving, flowers, and other “gifts” will be suspended for now. Memorial Gifts in memory or honor of someone can still be made.

• The Solar Campaign will also be paused. More information on this will be made available as we have it.

• If you are holding your Sunday offerings until we are gathered again, please mail them to the church (300 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876). If you use bank bill pay or Simply Giving, please maintain your giving as much as you are able. We will rely on all our financial gifts to maintain our presence in this difficult time.

• And yes, we are also looking at expenses and making as many adjustments as we can to lower our bills during this time

 

We will continue to communicate throughout this period. New information will be provided as it becomes available.