CHOICE is the word that has been ringing in my ear this week. In my view there is nothing more empowering. The last few months some choices have been removed from us. I am glad of this because it was a scary time and it felt good to be protected. As we move forward there are more and more choices to be made. This week it is whether or not to return to in-person worship. Many of you have made the empowered choice to continue to connect through worship online from home. This is a leadership choice and empowers not only you but all those who witness how you live your life and make choices. Some of you will choose to come and worship here at the church. I know that this decision is carefully, thoughtfully and prayerfully made. It is also a leadership choice that empowers others to take precautions, be responsible and make the best choice for their own wellbeing.

In the last few weeks I have been making a plan for us to return, writing policy and training folks. I have looked at this from every angle I can conceive. I have researched, planned and worried. I am confident that we have done all we can to prepare and create as safe an environment as possible.

On Sunday morning all are welcome to arrive at 9:30AM and worship will begin at 10AM. Sanctuary seating is set up in pairs so, if you come with someone in your bubble you can sit together. If you come on your own (or your bubble has an odd number of people) each single person will sit in a pair of seats (the seat beside you will remain empty). The chairs are measured out and must not be changed on the fly. If we need a new seating set up it will be done in advance in a thoughtful and purposeful way.

Should we reach capacity in the Sanctuary we will then move into overflow seating in the Lounge. There will be a large screen with the worship service projected there. If we reach capacity in the Lounge, Dan will be in the Stuart Wood yard ready to greet anyone who arrives for social time early. So… there you have it… two backup plans to accommodate all who arrive so we can all worship safely. I don’t expect that many people to come on Sunday but it is better to have a plan and not need it!!

All my relations, Florence