NEWS FROM PASTOR NORM

May 23, 2020

Hello Road Church family and friends,

I hold each of you in my heart and pray that you continue to be well. I have been encouraged from my phone conversations with you.  I recently participated in an interesting video conference with pastors in the Stonington, Pawcatuck, Westerly Clergy Association. We began by sharing how we and our churches are doing in this current situation, and what we are doing to continue serving our churches in the absence of our Sunday meetings. All of us are pretty much doing the same things. We are doing weekly video messages, and staying in touch with parishioners by phone and email communication.

We spent a good amount of time discussing a timeline for resuming our Sunday worship services, and all the measures that must be taken to insure everyone’s health and safety. As much as we all want to go back to in-person meetings, none of the ministers were anxious to do so before we are convinced it is safe. Several clergy have done a lot of research and had conversations with local officials as well as church conference leadership teams.

We learned that until there is a vaccine and as long as the virus continues to spread even at a declining rate, churches that decide to hold in-person services must be very careful. Social distancing and masks will be required. Sanctuaries should be sanitized between services. Use of bathroom facilities will be problematic. Pew Bibles and Hymnals also pose a problem because they are not easily sanitized. It was recommended that all books be removed from sanctuaries. People may bring their own Bibles. We also learned that Congregational singing indoors or outside, is not a good idea. Instrumental music is safest. The bottom line of the clergy meeting is that we are all in the same boat, and when we do begin meeting in person, church will not be the same as it was before this pandemic.

Our Road Church Executive Board and Deacons met earlier this week to hear our treasurers’ report along with reports from our other committees. Our finances are down mostly because Fitnostics has been closed since March and will not open for another month at the earliest. The church has not received payments since March, and has agreed to defer rent until Fitnostics is back in business. They have agreed to pay extra every month until they catch up. Because of this loss of income during this time, it is especially important that all of us stay current in our financial support of our church. If any of our church friends, near or far, could send even a one-time donation we would be very appreciative.

We also began a conversation about when and how we might begin our own in-person Sunday worship service. The consensus was that this would probably not happen before July, and we would meet outdoors on our property. We would also want to hear from you our members before we set a date to begin an in-person Sunday meeting.

This Sunday’s scripture references will be Matthew 7:7-8 and John 15:12-17.

One final thought is that I would like to start a weekly Bible study-prayer meeting by video. I have set up a Zoom account. I chose Zoom because it is the simplest for beginners to use. If you would like to give it a try let me know. I will work with you one on one to familiarize you how it works on your phone, tablet or computer. Once we have a group ready to go we will begin.

I love you all,

May God bless and keep you.

 Pastor Norm, 860-759-6720, normerlendson@gmail.com

Message for May 24, 2020 “Close Encounter with God” https://youtu.be/sjuh7uN-dps