CHURCH UPDATES REGARDING CORONAVIRUS
Words from Pastor Holly
Dear BHUMC friends,
Grace and peace to you as we face unprecedented changes in our world and our lives.
We are hearing some of the stress that folks are experiencing, with worries about health and finances, and also the effect of so much disruption to our routines. Please keep reaching out to each other, and please hold each other in prayer. In particular, please remember to pray for medical professionals and their families, and families whose wages are disappearing.
In the midst of it all, we are also hearing and seeing signs of Christ’s love all around us:
- Volunteers are eager to help with food deliveries and other needs;
- The Community Lunch team is working to provide take-out food to neighbors;
- Members are checking in with those at risk of isolation.
- A team is dreaming ways to create “virtual” spiritual connection with online worship and other resources.
Where are you seeing Love brought to life in these days?
*****
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Do you know someone who needs:
- Emergency food or grocery gift cards?
- Emergency assistance of another sort that we may be able to help them find?
- A conversation with a church friend or pastor?
- Other assistance we may not yet have thought of?
Please do not hesitate to text, call, or email your pastors with any of these concerns. Call the office and we will provide you with their phone numbers. Email address are: Pastor Holly at hn@nycap.rr.com and Pastor Doug at pastdm@mail.com
*****
HERE IS ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN HELP:
If you know someone who is not connected by e-mail and/or Facebook (our current daily modes of communication from BHUMC), can you do one or more of these:
- Get us their email address so we can add them to our list?
- Loan them a tablet or laptop if they lack “hardware?”
- Provide a quick lesson in how to use the needed technology?
- Print out the emails and share them?
- Make a commitment to call someone who is “out of this loop” and update them on news?
Let us know if we can help with that.
****
AND ONE MORE WAY:
If you are able, your giving is still very important to the life of this church. Staff is continuing to serve, keeping us connected, reaching out to help, and keeping the facility safe and clean.
We understand that for some, continued giving will be difficult for a time. If you are able, however, please do find a way to honor your pledge. A few of us may be even be able to give a little “ahead of schedule” to help us through this time. Please know that church leaders are actively engaged in setting priorities about spending, eliminating unnecessary expense while prioritizing:
1. our commitments to our outstanding, mostly-part-time staff;
2. Helping and serving our congregation and community in the ways that we can.
EVENTS:
We pray, with great anticipation, for the day when we can sing and pray and study and serve and fellowship, all together. But, for now, please know that your church community is with you, even though connected by phone and internet.
We do need to limit the traffic into and out of the building, to do our part to slow the progression of COVID-19. If you need something of your pastors or the church office, please CALL, EMAIL, or TEXT, and kindly do not come by the office, much as we normally love to see you. If you need us to pick up something (food donation, pledge envelopes, etc), we can arrange to send someone to your door (no handshakes or invite-ins needed!).
And again, if you or someone you know needs delivery of groceries or supplies, please contact the office or a pastor. The Young Families Fellowship is ready to help!
Peace. I hold you all in my heart, and in my prayers,
Holly,
With and for, Doug
Dear BHUMC friends,
Grace and peace to you as we face unprecedented changes in our world and our lives.
We are hearing some of the stress that folks are experiencing, with worries about health and finances, and also the effect of so much disruption to our routines. Please keep reaching out to each other, and please hold each other in prayer. In particular, please remember to pray for medical professionals and their families, and families whose wages are disappearing.
In the midst of it all, we are also hearing and seeing signs of Christ’s love all around us:
- Volunteers are eager to help with food deliveries and other needs;
- The Community Lunch team is working to provide take-out food to neighbors;
- Members are checking in with those at risk of isolation.
- A team is dreaming ways to create “virtual” spiritual connection with online worship and other resources.
Where are you seeing Love brought to life in these days?
*****
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Do you know someone who needs:
- Emergency food or grocery gift cards?
- Emergency assistance of another sort that we may be able to help them find?
- A conversation with a church friend or pastor?
- Other assistance we may not yet have thought of?
Please do not hesitate to text, call, or email your pastors with any of these concerns. Call the office and we will provide you with their phone numbers. Email address are: Pastor Holly at hn@nycap.rr.com and Pastor Doug at pastdm@mail.com
*****
HERE IS ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN HELP:
If you know someone who is not connected by e-mail and/or Facebook (our current daily modes of communication from BHUMC), can you do one or more of these:
- Get us their email address so we can add them to our list?
- Loan them a tablet or laptop if they lack “hardware?”
- Provide a quick lesson in how to use the needed technology?
- Print out the emails and share them?
- Make a commitment to call someone who is “out of this loop” and update them on news?
Let us know if we can help with that.
****
AND ONE MORE WAY:
If you are able, your giving is still very important to the life of this church. Staff is continuing to serve, keeping us connected, reaching out to help, and keeping the facility safe and clean.
We understand that for some, continued giving will be difficult for a time. If you are able, however, please do find a way to honor your pledge. A few of us may be even be able to give a little “ahead of schedule” to help us through this time. Please know that church leaders are actively engaged in setting priorities about spending, eliminating unnecessary expense while prioritizing:
1. our commitments to our outstanding, mostly-part-time staff;
2. Helping and serving our congregation and community in the ways that we can.
EVENTS:
We pray, with great anticipation, for the day when we can sing and pray and study and serve and fellowship, all together. But, for now, please know that your church community is with you, even though connected by phone and internet.
We do need to limit the traffic into and out of the building, to do our part to slow the progression of COVID-19. If you need something of your pastors or the church office, please CALL, EMAIL, or TEXT, and kindly do not come by the office, much as we normally love to see you. If you need us to pick up something (food donation, pledge envelopes, etc), we can arrange to send someone to your door (no handshakes or invite-ins needed!).
And again, if you or someone you know needs delivery of groceries or supplies, please contact the office or a pastor. The Young Families Fellowship is ready to help!
Peace. I hold you all in my heart, and in my prayers,
Holly,
With and for, Doug