The month of October begins our Campaign To Support Our Church. 2020 will go down as one of the most unique and challenging years of our church’s history. Instead of despair, we found focus, resiliency, innovation, and a sense of togetherness despite the challenge of social distance.
We have added a “Donate” tab to our menu bar on the top of the page. This now allows the church to benefit from your financial support by accepting credit cards for payment. You will be asked to register just once by filling in your information and then you will see a page that will allow you to provide your credit card information (encrypted) to allow the church to benefit from your generous support. Thank you.
First Presbyterian Church Is Open - With Conditions
We resumed Worship Services in the sanctuary in September, while continuing to stream the live service on Facebook and YouTube - all at 10:00 AM Sunday mornings.
Those of you who have compromised immune systems or are in a vulnerable population group are encouraged to stay at home and watch from there, especially during this very concerning time during the pandemic. If you can log into Worship services from home, we ask that you do so.
If you would like to attend in person, this is how you do your part to love your neighbor at church:
1. You must reserve a spot by contacting Sam Clem or the church office.
2. You must wear a mask for the entire service.
3. You must be screened at the sanctuary doors with a temperature check and a questionnaire. Please leave plenty of time for this to happen before worship starts. Elder Dr. Bill Engle will be conducting the screenings. If it's raining, bring an umbrella in case you need to stand in line. If you have a temp, cough, or have been exposed to Covid, please just stay home.
4. You must be conscious of leaving six feet between you and the next person in line or in the aisles.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Pastor Karen or any elder.
Office Hours: Heidi is in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.
Our Food Pantry will remain open Monday and Thursday of each week. To stay in the loop, everyone is encouraged to sign up to receive emails at stauntonfirst@gmail.com.
Current Activities:
Or https://www.youtube.com/channel UCKHIfTGhCeY9LqfE7xftS1A
 Weddings Interested in having your wedding at First Presbyterian Church? Please see our updated guidelines here. Most of the following activities are not happening in person for now due to the pandemic (except for Worship, on a limited basis per the above). Many church activities are now provided online - please see the top of our web page for details on our online activities and continued Food Pantry hours. Thank you! Sunday Worship Book Study Class: 9:45 am (snacks at 9:30 am) - Library Adult Sunday School 10:00-10:45 am (now meeting in church parlor) Youth Sunday School 10:00-10:45 am Elementary Sunday School 10:00-10:45 Church Nursery: 10:30 am-12:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 10:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00 am
Youth Group 12-2 pm (alternates with Youth Sunday School, please call to check times)
Wednesdays Bible Study: Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the Library Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm Visit the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Website - > http://www.synatlantic.org/ | March 2021 Letter from the Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we continue in the season of Lent, we are hopeful that we may be able to do an abridged in-person worship on Easter Day. People are being very respectful about masks and distancing, and are beginning to get their vaccines. All this points to a happy Easter morning, even if we’re not all the way “back to normal.” We’ll keep you posted. Still, from everything I’m hearing, there is much confusion around getting the vaccines, what tier folks are in, where to go, etc. That’s why I’ve become a Vaccine Ambassador for Virginia Department of Health. A Vaccine Ambassador is a conduit for “who what where when” information. You already know why! Besides distributing information, if you are having a hard time getting your shots, I will chase it for you. I will access the state bank to find an appointment for you. Right now the state is on Group 1a and b: Medical workers, residents of long term care facilities, frontline essential workers, those over 65, or those with a compromised immune system. I have had my vaccine – both 1 and 2. Teachers are telling me they’re getting theirs. Our folks in assisted living have gotten theirs. Still, I have heard from one over-65 couple that they’re having a hard time finding where to go. Let me help you if you’re having a hard time! If you have been vaccinated, it would be great if you would share that with me confidentially. I would like to know what percentage of our congregation is vaccinated. Now all that is very practical. It doesn’t sound very spiritual, except that our faith itself encourages the practice of that faith with here and now outcomes. When we do unto others as we would have others do unto us, we are loving as we have been loved. When we get the vaccine, we are not only protecting ourselves, we are protecting others in our community. We go through Lent celebrating mindfully the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who by undergoing the pain of all the sharpness he experienced on the cross, inoculated us from the power of sin and the price of unrelenting death. May we be blessed to count this vaccine as one more way Christ is tramping down death. Pastor Karen |