CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
Update (3/2/2022): Because of new guidelines issued by the CDC, and the decision by Harford County Public Schools to lift the mask mandate, we are no longer asking children's ministry and teen ministry adult volunteers, connedction volunteers, and staff to wear masks.
Wearing a mask is a personal choice, and anyone who chooses to do this will be respected for their decision. We encourage everyone to follow the guidance of their care provider, as well as be aware of guidance from the CDC and local and state governments.
To the Bel Air Church of the Nazarene Community/August 20, 2021
Our "Next Task" force (comprised of health care professionals, board members, and pastoral staff) continues to monitor the recent surge caused by the Delta Variant of COVID. As a part of this, we have been looking at the CDC guidelines, as well as state and local guidance.
Since the last time I provided an update on August 6th, our state governor had another press conference. He chose not to extend the MD’s state of emergency, and he indicated that the three metrics MD goes by when considering a response are all still very low. In that press conference, no mask mandate was announced for the state, and there was no indication there might be one in the near future.
But this recent surge is a real issue, and we are taking extra precautions to add layers of safety. We began these measures this past Sunday, August 15th, and will continue them for the foreseeable future:
#1: We will ask those working with our children to wear masks indoors. At this point, children are among the most vulnerable of our population. Those under 12 have not had the opportunity to get vaccinated. By wearing masks, we communicate that we are working to make it a safer environment. We are not saying that all children must wear masks, but will leave this decision with the parents/guardians. A parent/guardian can choose for their child to wear a mask because they believe it gives them an extra layer of protection, and we support this as a church community.
#2: Pastoral staff and other church leaders who greet and connect with people in our community will be asked to wear masks indoors for our Sunday service. When we have other ministry events, such as youth ministry events, we will ask leaders who are expected to connect with others to wear masks. In this way, we show consideration to those who choose to wear a mask and would prefer those who are close to them wear a mask as well.
#3: We will set-up our chairs in a socially distanced manner. It is a small sacrifice to pay so that everyone feels safer.
At this point, we are not requiring everyone wear a mask. If the state issues a mask mandate, this will change. We will leave it up to individuals, parents, and families to understand the recommendations that are coming from the CDC, as well as state and local authorities.
It’s should not be surprising to hear that this has become a divisive issue all over our country. Now is the time for us, as a church community, to show something different. We can have charitable conversations, where we listen to others and seek to understand their viewpoint over convincing them our viewpoint is correct. We can all agree that we want everyone to be safe, even if we don’t agree with what needs to be done so this can happen. Let’s live out our mission to “Love Jesus and Love Like Jesus” and show our country and our world another way.
I read this in an email this morning, and feel it gives good advice on what it means to love like Jesus:
“When discussing divisive topics, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. We should not be willing to sacrifice relationships to win an argument.”
We will continue to monitor any future developments, and let you know of any changes to this direction we make going forward.
God Bless!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Gregg
Wearing a mask is a personal choice, and anyone who chooses to do this will be respected for their decision. We encourage everyone to follow the guidance of their care provider, as well as be aware of guidance from the CDC and local and state governments.
To the Bel Air Church of the Nazarene Community/August 20, 2021
Our "Next Task" force (comprised of health care professionals, board members, and pastoral staff) continues to monitor the recent surge caused by the Delta Variant of COVID. As a part of this, we have been looking at the CDC guidelines, as well as state and local guidance.
Since the last time I provided an update on August 6th, our state governor had another press conference. He chose not to extend the MD’s state of emergency, and he indicated that the three metrics MD goes by when considering a response are all still very low. In that press conference, no mask mandate was announced for the state, and there was no indication there might be one in the near future.
But this recent surge is a real issue, and we are taking extra precautions to add layers of safety. We began these measures this past Sunday, August 15th, and will continue them for the foreseeable future:
#1: We will ask those working with our children to wear masks indoors. At this point, children are among the most vulnerable of our population. Those under 12 have not had the opportunity to get vaccinated. By wearing masks, we communicate that we are working to make it a safer environment. We are not saying that all children must wear masks, but will leave this decision with the parents/guardians. A parent/guardian can choose for their child to wear a mask because they believe it gives them an extra layer of protection, and we support this as a church community.
#2: Pastoral staff and other church leaders who greet and connect with people in our community will be asked to wear masks indoors for our Sunday service. When we have other ministry events, such as youth ministry events, we will ask leaders who are expected to connect with others to wear masks. In this way, we show consideration to those who choose to wear a mask and would prefer those who are close to them wear a mask as well.
#3: We will set-up our chairs in a socially distanced manner. It is a small sacrifice to pay so that everyone feels safer.
At this point, we are not requiring everyone wear a mask. If the state issues a mask mandate, this will change. We will leave it up to individuals, parents, and families to understand the recommendations that are coming from the CDC, as well as state and local authorities.
It’s should not be surprising to hear that this has become a divisive issue all over our country. Now is the time for us, as a church community, to show something different. We can have charitable conversations, where we listen to others and seek to understand their viewpoint over convincing them our viewpoint is correct. We can all agree that we want everyone to be safe, even if we don’t agree with what needs to be done so this can happen. Let’s live out our mission to “Love Jesus and Love Like Jesus” and show our country and our world another way.
I read this in an email this morning, and feel it gives good advice on what it means to love like Jesus:
“When discussing divisive topics, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. We should not be willing to sacrifice relationships to win an argument.”
We will continue to monitor any future developments, and let you know of any changes to this direction we make going forward.
God Bless!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Gregg