Welcome to Nyack's Hometown Church
Dear Church, while this appears to pertain mostly to Nyack, it affects both churches and all of us as we consider how we move forward.
For a month or two now, Nyack's consistory has been committed to "month by month" consideration of how and when to return to worship in the Nyack sanctuary.
We all miss gathering together in person. We know our vacating of the building may be especially hard on people without ability to connect using computers.
We are grateful for and proud of our region's success in slowing the spread of Covid, and that our church members have stayed safe and well. We want to hold to that success, and not slip up due to a false sense of security or complacency.
We are aware that the science on Covid continues to evolve. As the experts continue to gain understanding, it has become apparent that airborne transmission via tiny "aerosol" size particles is a greater risk that transmission on surfaces. Therefore the difficulty of sanitizing a sanctuary is compounded by the apparent higher risk of assembling in closed spaces, even if they are large. There is also increasing evidence that young people and children are capable of spreading the virus, which means that the potential opening of schools could add another layer of uncertainty for the fall season.
We have also considered the possibility that if our worship activity, or that of either of our guest congregations, should lead to an outbreak of Covid, it could result in all activities in the building including Soup Angels and ARC being closed down.
Given all these factors, Nyack Consistory concluded unanimously to postpone any attempt to re-open in September, even on the "one Sunday a month" model I had suggested. At the very least, caution requires that we observe what happens with any resumption of schools and perhaps the onset of flu season.
While the weather remains temperate, we will continue to offer in-person worship to whoever wishes to attend the masked, distanced services in the Piermont church yard (absent rain). There is no plan to stop "streaming" our services, ever! Piermont Consistory will discuss all these issues when they meet next week.
I know this situation is extremely difficult. But I do believe there is reason to be very hopeful about the future, given the amazing work that has been done to produce a vaccine that will help us achieve "herd immunity." We have come this far. It has been five months. If we need to do another five or six months, we can do it if we support and pray for each other as we have thus far.
I read of a School Superintendent who said, "If we are overcautious, no one will ever know for sure. If we are not cautious enough, everyone will know because it will be tragic." Because it takes only one "spreader" coming into contact with one vulnerable person (and that describes many of us) to cause a tragedy, I am convinced that LOVE for one another requires us to stand strong together, even while staying apart.
We really DO love each other! That's what makes us able to put aside our deep yearning to congregate, and care for the welfare of all. And please, and thank you, keep using those phones to encourage and support each other.
In Christ's love,
Pastor John
For a month or two now, Nyack's consistory has been committed to "month by month" consideration of how and when to return to worship in the Nyack sanctuary.
We all miss gathering together in person. We know our vacating of the building may be especially hard on people without ability to connect using computers.
We are grateful for and proud of our region's success in slowing the spread of Covid, and that our church members have stayed safe and well. We want to hold to that success, and not slip up due to a false sense of security or complacency.
We are aware that the science on Covid continues to evolve. As the experts continue to gain understanding, it has become apparent that airborne transmission via tiny "aerosol" size particles is a greater risk that transmission on surfaces. Therefore the difficulty of sanitizing a sanctuary is compounded by the apparent higher risk of assembling in closed spaces, even if they are large. There is also increasing evidence that young people and children are capable of spreading the virus, which means that the potential opening of schools could add another layer of uncertainty for the fall season.
We have also considered the possibility that if our worship activity, or that of either of our guest congregations, should lead to an outbreak of Covid, it could result in all activities in the building including Soup Angels and ARC being closed down.
Given all these factors, Nyack Consistory concluded unanimously to postpone any attempt to re-open in September, even on the "one Sunday a month" model I had suggested. At the very least, caution requires that we observe what happens with any resumption of schools and perhaps the onset of flu season.
While the weather remains temperate, we will continue to offer in-person worship to whoever wishes to attend the masked, distanced services in the Piermont church yard (absent rain). There is no plan to stop "streaming" our services, ever! Piermont Consistory will discuss all these issues when they meet next week.
I know this situation is extremely difficult. But I do believe there is reason to be very hopeful about the future, given the amazing work that has been done to produce a vaccine that will help us achieve "herd immunity." We have come this far. It has been five months. If we need to do another five or six months, we can do it if we support and pray for each other as we have thus far.
I read of a School Superintendent who said, "If we are overcautious, no one will ever know for sure. If we are not cautious enough, everyone will know because it will be tragic." Because it takes only one "spreader" coming into contact with one vulnerable person (and that describes many of us) to cause a tragedy, I am convinced that LOVE for one another requires us to stand strong together, even while staying apart.
We really DO love each other! That's what makes us able to put aside our deep yearning to congregate, and care for the welfare of all. And please, and thank you, keep using those phones to encourage and support each other.
In Christ's love,
Pastor John