Good afternoon MACC church family!
First and foremost I want you to know that as a leadership (elder’s and staff) we have been praying for you and hope that you are all doing well during this time.
This morning we met via Zoom as a leadership team to discuss the President’s announcement yesterday and taking all the information we have we have prayerfully come to the conclusion that it would not be wise for us to reopen at this time.
We are encouraged by the remarks that churches are considered “essential.” However, in the state of Illinois churches have been considered “essential” since May 1, 2020 but must still adhere to the CDC guidelines. Those guidelines as of now for the state of Illinois are gatherings of no more than 10 people and they must wear full face masks and socially distance (being a minimum of 6 feet apart).
We ask that if you choose to “worship together” with 10 people or fewer in your home that you please follow CDC guidelines wearing face masks and socially distancing.
It is projected that the third week of June gatherings of 50 or fewer will be recommended, so we are considering this as a potential reopening time, and I emphasize potential, there are a lot of logistical things we are trying to work out. Remember things are still very fluid and with this recommendation we may or may not be able to reopen. So, this is not a promise, but a potential at this time. We just ask that you remain patient with us as we try to reopen responsibly using great caution to ensure your health and well being. We see this as loving our neighbor as our self.
We know that our God is bigger than this pandemic and that His love for us, our love for Him, and our love for each other reaches beyond church building walls.
Please remember that we the people are the church not a building, buildings are important and it will be exciting to gather together once again when it is safe to do so. Until then know that you are loved and missed as we work to prepare to safely meet in person.