Dear Church Family,
UPDATED – December 23, 2020: Drive-in worship services have resumed starting January 2, 2021! We have received a letter of approval for the COVID management plan that we submitted to Montgomery County last week. We can’t wait to worship with you again on January 2. To make sure you don’t miss any of the information about our worship services, make sure to sign up to receive our weekly email newsletter.
We regret to share that our drive-in worship service will be canceled for the next two Sabbaths, December 19 and December 26. I was disappointed to have to make this decision, but it was based upon the recent Montgomery County restrictions enacted at 5:00 p.m. on December 15.
For us to continue to hold an outdoor/drive-in service, a letter of approval must be provided by the county. The language on the county’s recent update reads: “Required to seek a Letter of Approval: Outdoor religious services with more than 25 people.” This letter must be submitted with a detailed plan of action for safety, volunteer involvement, bathroom/facility access, etc., within five business days of the activity. I contacted the county and spoke to someone in the office that oversees these letters. They informed me that there is no way to fast track the process and that a letter of approval for this upcoming Sabbath would not be attainable.
Why then are we also canceling the drive-in service for December 26? At this time, we do not know when we will receive our letter of approval, as the county did not provide clarity. As such, to avoid leaving our team in “holding” mode during the week of Christmas and to avoid adding extra layers to their already busy schedules on the week of Christmas, I’ve decided to cancel these services. This will allow our hard-working pastoral team and our dedicated volunteers to have an opportunity to spend more time with their families both this next week and on Christmas Sabbath. I took this action knowing that our church family would affirm such a respite for our pastors and staff.
We plan to return to our weekly drive-in worship services beginning January 2, 2021, which will feature Pastor Matthew Piersanti’s first sermon at Spencerville Church. Of course, all three Sabbaths will hold our regularly scheduled online broadcast services. Don’t forget to watch this Sabbath, December 19, at 4:30 p.m. as we broadcast our Christmas Lessons and Carols service.
Thank you for your understanding! I will miss seeing y’all, as the drive-in service has been a true highlight of my week for the past month!
Love, prayers, and Merry Christmas,
