Country Homes Family,

As noted in the previous announcement, we are most definitely in the shelter-at-home mode for the long haul - at this point until at least the first week of May. 

There is obviously no church 'manual' for such an event, so continued patience amongst all is most appreciated as we navigate the uncharted weeks ahead, learning to work and communicate even more via phone and online in the virtual realm. This means everything from revamping entire liturgies from “brick and mortar” to online audio/video, to continued coordination with other churches/clergy, to increased efforts by Elders to reach out, to all of us reaching out as we are able, to continued planning for future events (or working around them), to… The list goes on.

The multimedia team and I are working on the audio/video postings for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and, of course, Easter. We will keep you posted as we get closer to these events and others, ensuring that all of our church family can be part of these modified services. 

Stay home, stay healthy, and keep the faith!

As always, praying for you,

Pastor Dolores

Good Evening Friends,

I am sending you this message so you can be aware of the need for: "Stay Home, Stay Healthy." Please see below. I will still be able to receive all calls to the church and all mail to the church. Feel free to call the office, and fellow church members to stay in touch. We will get you any news we know, and we will always be here for you. We are all loved by our church family, and we will get through this together. Stay in touch with emails, cards, letters, and calls.

If you are in need of anything please reach out!

Prayers and Blessings,

Todd

From: Public Health Connection <waDOH@public.govdelivery.com>

Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2020 6:56 PM

Subject: Another month at home, let s emerge healthier

Another month at home, let’s emerge healthier

Our social distancing efforts are beginning to “flatten the curve” here in Washington. Even so, models from the University of Washington suggest that we may see 1,400 deaths from COVID-19 in this state, and it is clear that more people will die if our social distancing efforts stop right now.

That’s why, today, Gov. Inslee extended his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order for another month until May 4. By staying home, we are keeping our communities as healthy as we can. We are slowing down the spread of the virus and buying more time for the state to build hospital capacity.

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Dear Country Homes family -

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. 

As you may know, late yesterday afternoon Governor Inslee issued a stay-at-home order in an effort to help curtail the spread of COVID-19 here in Washington State. As responsible citizens of Washington, it is important - it is critical - that we do just that: stay in our homes. Only businesses that are essential to the overall physical health of our community are allowed to remain open. Others, including social, recreational, and spiritual establishments, must close for a minimum of two weeks beginning this Wednesday afternoon (the 25th). 

With this in mind, Country Homes Christian Church will be closed beginning the afternoon of March 25. Todd, our Admin Assistant, will be working from home. All calls to the church phone number will be forwarded to Todd’s cell phone during his normal work hours - Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM. Internet accessibility to the church will remain available.

I will be working from home as well and will be available via my cell phone during my normal office hours of 12 PM - 3 PM, Wednesday through Friday (and, of course, any time when you might feel an urgent need to call). Please contact the church office for my contact information.

Also, thanks to the great support by Lisa, Kathye and others, I will continue to be able to post on the website (chchristian.org) brief Sunday liturgies, as well as additional items (prayers, readings, other church-related information) during the week. You’ll be able to access these via the Reflections link and the About Us/Important Information link. We are also working on other ways to ‘virtually’ connect. (More to come on that).

Additionally, I will continue to check in with you via phone, mailed correspondence, and/or email over the days to come. I encourage you, as well, to continue to check in with one another via phone calls, mailed note cards, and email. Please do not hesitate to contact Todd regarding additions to the prayer chain as well. Also, if you feel particularly overwhelmed, please do not hesitate to contact me, your Elder, and/or anyone with whom you feel a connection. Please, do not be reluctant to reach out.

PLEASE take Federal and State warnings seriously and stay at home in accordance with the current rules/statutes. Doing so minimizes the chance of infection, which in turn maximizes the ability of our health care system to treat those that require critical care. The next few weeks will mean the difference between life and death for many people; we must do our part to help life move forward. 

We will continue to find ways to get through these interesting and, at times, trying days.

We will continue to find ways to rejoice in our lives.

We will continue to worship God.

We will continue as a church.

We will continue.

As we are in the midst of the Season of Lent, we have the opportunity to look at ourselves and one another in new ways - to experience and to be curious about the transition in ourselves, in others, and in society. We will learn, and we will grow. And we will move through these days through the grace of God. 

On Easter day, April 12th, we will celebrate the Christ who rises. Regardless of where we may physically find ourselves, we will spiritually be together. Christ will still rise! In the fullness of our faith, we also rise - and we will rise through this season together. Thanks be to God!

As always, you are in my prayers, 

Pastor Dolores 

Based upon Federal/State guidelines and mandates, all church events continue to be cancelled until further notice. 

Pastor Dolores will be offering scripture readings and reflections in audio format on the church's website for each Sunday (see the ‘Reflections’ link). As always, these can be listened to directly on the website or downloaded to your audio device. She will also be putting together a written liturgy for you to use at home. Our Diaconate team is busy researching ways to make communion possible as we learn to worship in new ways.

Additionally, our terrific tech crew is working on a way to allow for online video broadcasting of Sunday services (with no one in the audience). More to come on that. 

The protection of you - our congregants - and all with whom we interact in our community is foremost on our minds.  We will get through this, and we will grow as a church family in the process. 

In the words of St. Teresa of Avila, the 16th century Carmelite nun and a Doctor of the Church: 

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing;

God only is changeless.

Patience gains all things.

Who has God wants nothing.

God alone suffices.