COVID-19 has taken hold of our community in ways we never would have imagined. Our schools are closed. Some of our businesses are closed. Nursing homes and hospital visits are restricted. Many of our more susceptible neighbors are staying home until this all passes. Many parents are needing to take time off from work to stay home with their kids. We’ve even been asked to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. This is a difficult time for many of us.
Covid-19 Update
friday, November 13, 2020
Grandview Church Family,
I’m sure you are aware of the updated proclamation from Governor Kim Reynolds given this past Tuesday (11/10). You are likely wondering how that proclamation will affect our gathering together as a church. While the Governor has mandated masks for all gatherings of 25 people or more, she has also exempted religious organizations.
Having said that, the Pastors and Overseers called an emergency meeting to discuss how we as a church should move forward in a way that shows love to our neighbors, but more importantly is honoring to God. After prayer and discussion, our conclusion is that we will continue with regularly scheduled gatherings on Sundays and Wednesdays without a mask mandate. All small groups may meet as they see fit. We know some may choose to stop attending for the time being and we hope they will join us through our virtual options, however, we do not believe it is in our best interests or that we have proper authority as Overseers to require that all attendees wear masks.
We know it is important for us as individuals within the church to make allowances where we can so long as our spiritual integrity is not at stake (Romans 14). We want to do all that we can to love our neighbors and maintain unity and peace within the church. This comes through individual conviction, not church mandate.
Here is what we are asking from you for the foreseeable future:
We encourage (but do not require) all who enter the church to wear a mask according to their personal discretion. We will have signs posted as reminders and will provide masks to those who do not have one and would like to use one. Again, masks are not required.
Strive to maintain adequate social distancing. We will work toward keeping classes separated, contact low, and seats distanced. We ask that you do your part as far as you find it reasonable.
We ask that you keep up with proper hygiene recommendations. Wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth when coughing/sneezing, etc.
If you are sick, STAY HOME. Showing any signs or symptoms of illness should prompt you to step away for the time being and is an important way for you to love your neighbor.
If you are at-risk, please use an abundance of caution.
Please be aware that as some may choose to stop attending, there may be service needs in the church to be fulfilled. Please continue to be in prayer about where you can plug in and serve to help bear the load of the church and our ministries. Our highest goal is still to honor God and to make disciples. We cannot lose focus.
Additionally, please continue to be respectful of others’ points of view. This comes down to individual conscience, so we ask that everyone withhold attitudes of judgment, self-righteousness, and divisiveness. Let us bear with one another in love. Let us be the church Christ is calling us to be.
If you have questions or comments, or you know this proclamation and our response will change your pattern of attendance, please contact any of the Pastors or Overseers. We want to know how we can best serve you in this time.
Pastor Neil (651) 318-7613 Pastor Joel (515) 499-6324
Dennis Lukins (712) 260-3387 Layne Anderson (712) 261-3318 Dave Jones (712) 209-2908
Covid-19 Update
Monday, May 18, 2020
As you know, our target date to reopen the church doors for Sunday morning worship is May 31st. Though we have seen a slight uptick in Covid-19 cases in our part of the state, and Emmet County now has its first confirmed case, we are still committed to opening our doors May 31st.
Gov. Reynolds was scheduled to make an announcement regarding current restrictions last Friday (May 15th) but has postponed that announcement as she and her team continue to analyze the data. Her imminent announcement may have an effect on our target date to reopen, and we will keep you informed as we learn more.
The current tentative schedule is as follows:
May 24th – Virtual Meeting Neil Schindler (included as part of the video service for this week on Facebook, Grandview’s website, and on the Grandview app)
Neil is our Senior Pastor Candidate. He will be visiting with me this week and will sit down with me to record a “Get to Know Me” video for you all to see. Be sure and tune into the service via the normal online methods to get introduced to our pastoral candidate.
I also want to stress the importance that you DO NOT contact Neil via social media or tag him in any posts. We need to be respectful of his current church and his position there.
May 31 – Grandview Reopens for Worship
We will have 1 service, beginning at 9:30 A.M.
We will apply the current CDC guidelines
6 feet between family units
No Fellowship Time
No handshaking/hugging
We recommend those 65 years of age and older stay home
We recommend those who are in regular contact with a high-risk person to stay home
Some of the guidelines are not things we can enforce, so we ask that you make a wise decision for yourself and for your family.
This is all contingent upon Gov. Reynolds’ announcements and proposed restrictions prior to this date. If more restricting guidelines are put in place, we will reevaluate our opening date.
June 14 – Senior Pastoral Candidate Weekend
Our candidate, Neil Schindler, will be coming to Grandview to deliver a sermon and meet with our church family.
We know that some members may not be able to come back to church by that date, so we are considering several options to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to meet Neil and his family.
We are looking at the possibility of doing a “drive-in” service this Sunday.
The service will be livestreamed so those at home will be able to view it.
We will also set up meetings throughout the week/weekend for groups of people to sit down and meet with Neil, ask him questions, and allow him to get to know us.
For those uncomfortable meeting in person, Neil would be interested in setting up Zoom meetings with you.
We understand that this date may concern some of you, but the reality is that we need to consider moving forward and consider the different ways we can move forward. The unique circumstances triggered by Covid-19 have forced us to find unique ways to approach ministries and ministry decisions. If we were to wait until everyone felt comfortable coming back to church or until all restriction guidelines are withdrawn, we may not be able to move forward until months from now.
June 21 – Annual Meeting
Ideally, we would like to cover all voting matters at this time.
The Annual Budget
The Budget will be sent out a couple weeks prior to the meeting via prayer chain and will be posted to our website for all to review.
Ministry Teams/Officers
Ballots will be sent out a couple weeks in advance to give everyone ample time to pray over our ministry teams and vote accordingly.
Neil Schindler as Senior Pastor
As is customary, the week after candidacy we will vote on our candidate. Neil’s profile, sermon, and Q&A sessions will be available to view on our website by June 15th.
Even if you are not able to attend the meeting, we will make sure we find a way for you to vote. More information on that will become available in the coming weeks. We do not want anyone to be left out of these big church milestones and will do what we can to make sure you are all included and able to vote with confidence.
The Overseers and I want to thank those of you who continue to support our church and thank you for your patience. This has been a difficult process, but we are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We also ask that you support us with prayer AND with grace. We are aware that not every option listed will work for every person, but we ask that you not make these decisions any more difficult than they have already proven to be. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to an Overseer or to me.
In Christ,
Pastor Joel Sadler
give
Online, Mail-In, and Pick-up Tithing
Though the church building will not be in use for the time being, the ministries of Grandview will continue. These ministries do still require funding. In addition, though our doors may be closed, our regular monthly responsibilities do not cease.
If you are a member of Grandview, we encourage you to continue giving. If you have not been giving, perhaps now is the time to start.
If you are not a member of Grandview, we hope that you would continue to give to your home church.
If you do not have a home church, we ask that you might consider Grandview as a church for you.
We have three current options to give:
Online: www.grandviewbaptist.church/give
Click “Give” and fill out the required information. This is a quick and safe way to give.
If you need help setting up your online giving, you may contact:
Pastor Joel Sadler (515) 499 – 6324
Cami Sadler (515) 499 – 6325
Tim Soper (712) 209 – 6192
Liz Soper (712) 209 – 4614
Bethany Phillips (563) 265 -4619
Mail-In: We ask that you not send any cash through the mail. Checks only. If you choose to mail in your tithes, please mail them to Layne Anderson: 3651 200th, Estherville, IA 51334
Pick-Up: If you do not feel comfortable giving online or mailing your tithes, Layne would be glad to come to you and pick it up. Contact Layne at (712) 261 – 3318
Pray
Please be prayerful as this virus spreads and be cautious and considerate as we navigate through this time of uncertainty. Our greatest concern is protecting those who may be more susceptible to the virus. Finally, do not fear. Nothing that happens comes as a surprise to God. He will work all things out for the good of those who believe in Him. We have no reason to be anxious or lacking in trust. Be cautious, but not fearful. Use this opportunity to show love and share hope with your neighbors.
“A scared world needs a fearless church.”
Serve
Our most vulnerable brothers and sisters (people over 55, immune suppressed, etc.) will need to have us come alongside them at this time. How can we do that?
Grocery run
Pharmacy run
Phone calls to check in
Meal trains
Any other ideas please let the Overseers know
Be cautious
If someone in our Church Body is found to have COVID-19 we ask that you:
Follow Public Health Guidelines including the WHO and CDC
Contact all those who may have been in close contact with the affected person while they were infectious
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following tips to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
If you are feeling sick, follow the below tips to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others.
Stay home when you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Stay away from public events or care facilities including hospitals and clinics.
For more information on COVID-19 and how the CDC and states in the Avera footprint are preparing for possible cases, please visit the following sites:
Avera website:
https://www.avera.org/how-to-prepare-for-the-coronavirus-c…/
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention resources:
www.cdc.gov/COVID19 https://www.cdc.gov/…/201…/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
