First Presbyterian Church - Partial Reopening!
The session has voted to begin a cautious re-opening program with all prescribed precautions in place.
On Sunday, September 13 we will have worship at 10am in the sanctuary,Facebook, and YouTube - all at the same time.
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.
We will make space for 20 units - that will be a single seat, or couples seats, or a family unit. Your seats will be pre-selected for you based on spacing needs. You will be ushered to your seat by a designated member. There will be a one page bulletin for you to pick up. There will be sanitizing stations just inside the front doors. There will be designated enter and exit doors.
Your session and staff are meeting all the requirements to make sure you have a safe space to worship in. 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 calling or emailing Sam Clem at (540) 836-9493 or sam.clem@comcast.net
2. You must wear a mask for the entire service. We are planning shorter services because of this.
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. Folks, if you have a temp, cough, or have been exposed to Covid, please just stay home. Don't make Dr. Bill the bad guy.
4. You must be conscious of leaving six feet between you and the next person in line or in the aisles.
It is exciting to think of seeing some of your faces in "real life", but we must proceed soberly with an abundance of caution. 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. The following activities are not happening in person for now due to the pandemic. 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/ | June 2020 Pastor’s Letter Thank You to Our Wonderful Congregation! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, When the Coronavirus hit our shores, none of us knew how rapidly we would have to adapt to the shut down of life as we knew it. Your staff – Karen, Heidi, Renee, Otto, John and Teresa, and Mona – would like to thank the Session and the congregation from the bottom of our hearts for continuing our salaries during these difficult times. We have been continuing our work for First Presbyterian, largely from home, except for John whose work has to be done on premises. Here’s an idea of what we have been doing for God’s church while observing the Governor’s orders: - John has been engaged in deep cleaning our buildings, with extra preparation for those parts of Fraser that are getting use, such as the office and the Food Pantry. - Otto has been working from home with various new modifications to instruments to adapt to the rigors of online broadcasting remotely while staying in constant contact with your Director of Music and Pastor as we try to solve problems, plan, and mount worship. - Renee has been working from home composing pieces from reflections, requests, and poems you all have sent in and keeping in close contact with your pastor as we plan continuity for each Sunday. - Heidi has been able to remotely log in to the church computer to take care of many tasks from home. She also works from the office two mornings a week to facilitate financials such as processing purchase orders and mailing payments. - Your pastor has been broadcasting worship and learning new technologies as we try to reach the greatest number of people possible. She has been conducting meetings, bible study, counseling, and other communications online. We thought you would like an idea of how we are spending our church time, but we really wanted to express our overwhelming gratitude at your generosity for us. 4 out of 5 of your employees either fit the definition of “vulnerable population” or have a family member who does. Many of us who were multiple paycheck families are down to being a one- paycheck family because of the circumstances. We want you to know that your financial commitment during this most difficult of times is an act of mercy and grace that has eased our minds and that of the family members who count on us. May our good God richly bless you for your kindness, Rev. Karen H. Allamon, Pastor |
