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/ | January 2021 Letter from the Pastor Friends, As we go into the New Year, we have the hope of the vaccines coming, but are still in a precarious time on the way to getting the country immunized. These are the church’s protocols to help keep you safe for a healthy new year: 1. WORSHIP: As previously stated, although the sanctuary is open during taping, we are begging you to stay home to view worship and not increase your chance of exposure. Live Facebook can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianChurchStaunton/live_videos/. 2. WORSHIP BACKUP: If Facebook crashes during broadcast, we will go to this Zoom page and continue broadcasting. You can use this same link every week if needed: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88379874742—or iPhone one-tap : US: +16465588656,,88379874742#. 3. HOSPITAL VISITS: We have received a letter from Augusta that pastors will NOT be allowed in for visitation unless the patient is at end of life. This same protocol is being followed at other hospitals and nursing homes in our area. 4. PORCH VISITS: are discontinued unless/until we have warm dry days. If you would like to have me come over, we must be at least six feet apart and masked. Call/text/email to arrange a warm day appointment. 5. PASTORAL COUNSELING: All pastoral counseling is being conducted remotely; no exceptions except for those at end of life. This is for your health. Because of my calling, apartment living, and father's circumstances, my potential exposure to COVID-19 is higher. I am available to you for live appointments by Zoom, Facetime, Facebook Group, Google, or phone. Some of you are already doing this. Just text, email, or call to get an appointment. My sincere gratitude to the Staff: Otto, Renee, Heidi, and John, who continue to invent ways to make things work - and to the Officers: Elders Mary, JoAnn, Amanda, Scott, Sam, Geoff, George, Ron and Bill; Trustees Jenny, Brett, and David; Co-Treasurers Catty and Debra, and Treasurer "Emeritus" Jim, who is helping with the transition; along with Fay, our Clerk - all who continue to keep mission, care, worship, and physical plant upkeep moving during this time. A very special shout out to Alice Herbst for her extra care and thoughtfulness for the sick and shut in, and to YOU for keeping your church funded for mission and ministry during this exceptional time. Please contact any of us if we may be of service to you in ANY way, or if you have ANY concerns. God is good, and we thank God for sustaining us through this season. Pastor Karen |