Covid Update, August 18, 2021

Published August 19, 2021
Brothers and sisters,


Please find below our most recent response to the rapid increases in COVID cases and subsequent requests from local and state governments.   We have grouped our thoughts into 4 sections; Introduction and Request with supplemental sections of Biblical Reflections and Detailed Expectations.   Thank you for reading and following these requests.
Introduction: We the Elders of FBC are seeking to find unity in our church family and among our guests!  Our church is a collection of different parts with many different perspectives; we seek to honor each part together under the banner of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).  We appreciate the sensitive nature of the issues surrounding COVID and it's variants. These are confusing and divisive times and we are thankful for the patience and kindness of the Lord’s people at FBC.  Let us seek peace together (Ephesians 4:1-8).
With prayer, study, and dialog, we believe the course we are charting allows us to honor one another as we come together to worship and make ministry progress during a time of high medical concern and uneasiness.  We urge each of you to be considerate of others.  The situation will be reviewed weekly, given the regular changes in the guidelines, and any change will be announced.
 
Request: 
As the Delta variant causes COVID cases to increase and available hospital beds to decrease, the leadership of FBC requests each person to please wear a mask when in FBC buildings.  Please feel free to minimize your mask wearing when; at a personal workstation, actively eating or drinking, speaking or singing on stage or if an adult playing a competitive sport or a child under the age of 5.  Together we strive to represent Christ well at the corner of Ninth and Monroe!
 
Thank you for your on-going care and consideration for others during these times! 
 
Daniel for the Elders and response team 
 
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Supplemental sections:
 
Biblical Reflections: 
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
"For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body is not one part, but many.  If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.   And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?  But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  But now there are many parts, but one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;  and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable,  whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked,  so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another.  And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.



Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.  And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.  All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?  All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?  But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And yet, I am going to show you a far better way."
Ephesians 4:1-8
"I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore it says,

'When He ascended on high,
He led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.' "
 
Detailed Expectations: 

  • If you have any symptoms of upper airway infection or you suspect you have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days please stay home and join the service via our live-stream!  Let us know how we can pray and help.

  • To comply with state and local regulations, we are requiring all attendees on Sunday and staff or visitors during the week to wear a mask when in the building, except for;



    • children under 5 years old 

    • people with either a disability or medical condition which prevents them from wearing a mask    

    • speaking or playing an instrument when on stage (please wear a mask to and from the stage)

    • church staff members when she/he is at a workstation which is at least 6 feet isolated from others

    • actively eating or drinking

    • an adult playing a competitive sport

    • church staff members and volunteers while seated in scheduled meetings with pre-set seating at least 12 feet apart and speaking. All meetings should provide attendees with a remote option.

    • Individual case by case exceptions allowed by the State of Oregon

  • Masks are not required for outdoor meetings when a distance of 6 feet from others is maintained

  • Please leave distance between family groups

  • These items are in-line with the State of Oregon decrees found here,  https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19

Thanks,
Daniel