Church Service on 3/15/20 and Supper Study on 3/18/20 are canceled due to health safety concerns. From Pastor Cristina:

Dear Church Community: As we are all very aware, these are unprecedented times. Sometimes choosing the right path becomes difficult when you are in an unknown, uncharted territory. For those of you who have been attending New Creation that last few weeks, you know that we have been making choices to limit our exposure from the no touching during passing of the peace, switching to paper cups for coffee, and using only individual cups for communion. These have all been very good decisions. However in light of this last week’s announcements, I, with the help of council, have determined that we should not gather as a community this Sunday, March 15 or Lenten Study Wednesday March 18. Council will continue to discuss further actions. I know that for many of us we are healthy and young and do not feel a threat from this disease, but not all are and order to keep all of our community safe and to practice what Christ has taught us to love our neighbor, we feel this is the right decision. We will continue to update you as we go forward. Each day is a new day and things are changing quickly. 

We will look for ways to share video sermons, services and music with you so that you do not feel completely isolated. For those of you who are quarantined whether by choice or need, please reach out to friends and loved ones and let us all know. There are so many great tools now to stay connected, Facetime for those who have Apple phones, Facebook messenger has video and audio calling available, Skype, and I am sure more. Keep in touch with one another. I am here to remind you that God is with us, and even in the midst of panic and unclarity God will be with us. Pray for guidance and peace, read some scriptures- the Psalms are great or try Job- you may find some commonalities with your own life . Or if you are home and finding it difficult to stay calm, try a few meditation techniques. I will send out some Youtube videos separately for those who are interested. Please know that this is a great time to check in with friends, neighbors, and family to see if anyone has a need that you can fill. To limit the number of people out in the stores and community, offer to shop for others when you are out. This will help with both transmission of germs and shorter lines at stores.

More information from county/state officials:

The Health Agency says: COVID-L9 needs people to spread. Although these measures will cause disruption to the local economy and our daily lives, they are intended to interrupt and slow the spread of the virus and protect overall community health. By limiting opportunities for transmission, we can slow its spread. Each of us must do our part to protect our older citizens and vulnerable individuals at risk of serious outcomes should they be exposed.   

Effective as of 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2020, public or private gatherings of between 35 and 100 persons, defined below, are hereby prohibited in the County unless hosts or sponsors implement all of the COVID-19 risk mitigation measures, defined below:

Relevant measures are:

  • The space in which the gathering is held must accommodate social distancing by allowing all attendees to stand or sit at least six feet from any other attendee
  • Proper hand hygiene and sanitation material must be readily available to all persons at all times, including soap and waste receptacles. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used.
  • Persons hosting gatherings must alert prospective attendees at least 24 hours prior to the gathering that gatherings pose a heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission, and that older adults and individuals with existing health conditions are at particularly serious risk and should not attend
  • Persons hosting gatherings must clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes or other standard cleaners before, during, and after the event

Peace and Blessings as we journey through the next weeks,  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Pastor Cristina