March 13, 2020
To: Faith Church members and friends
From: Pastor Scott

Hello Everyone,
Given all the cancelations of various events, some of you may be wondering if we will cancel church services at Faith UCC. As of now we are NOT canceling upcoming worship services. As of today, there are no reported cases of corona virus in Comal County. I confirmed this through phone calls to both the county and city health departments this morning (March 12). However, if local health authorities recommend cancelling, we will comply immediately. I have also called our sister church, Friedens UCC, in nearby Geronimo and they have no plans to cancel services at this time.

Obviously common-sense steps should be taken by all of us:

  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Avoid touching your face with your hands
  • Don’t shake hands with people – even at church
  • Cover your mouth when you cough
  • Keep a reasonable distance from people
  • Stay home if you don’t feel well
  • If you are elderly or have a medical condition you may want to err on the side of caution and stay home as much as possible – we will understand if you do not come to church.

Given the above recommendations we will make some changes at church. Instead of passing the offering plates you are invited to simply drop your offering in the plates provided in the front and back. You can also contribute online or by mailing a check. We are working to make hand sanitizer available in the narthex for your use. You are encouraged to spread out when you sit down in the sanctuary. By way of setting an example don’t shake hands with the pastor or anyone else after the service. 

If the corona virus threat remains an issue on Easter Sunday, we will celebrate communion using self-contained cups with juice and a wafer. We will not have communion the first Sunday of April, as Easter is the following Sunday anyway.

We may not be over the worst of it in this country, but I find it encouraging that new cases are way down in China, where it started. With common sense measures, the help of the medical system and scientist and with God’s help we will get through this.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Scott