“What can I or my kids do?” “What is the church doing?” In theses challenging times of sheltering in place, many of you are asking our Bold Service and Social Justice Team for suggestions regarding how to care for the most vulnerable in our community. Thank you for your compassion for our neighbors! We are pleased to share a resource that will help us identify what we can do.
On Tuesday, March 24, at 1:00pm, you are invited to join a Zoom call on “Caring For The Most Vulnerable During Challenging Times.” COVID-19 has shaken all of us, yet we know that some on the margins of our community are the most threatened during this outbreak. Rabbi Jon Prosnit, Congregation Beth Am, and Tom Myers, CEO of Community Services Agency (CSA), will lead a conversation about how we respond to our most vulnerable during times of crisis. CSA has been serving the most vulnerable of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills for over 60 years.
We have made a hard decision this week. Please click or tap to watch the video below, or keep scrolling for a written message if you cannot watch a video right now.
For the next three weeks—through end of March—we will worship online only. At 8:30 and 10:00am and 5:00pm, worship will be broadcast online. You are invited to connect online and participate from the comfort and safety of your home.
It was Santa Clara County’s advisory this week that convinced LAUMC’s leadership that we can serve our congregation and community best by making it easier for you to decide to stay home and avoid contact that might present a danger to your health.
Not everything around the church is being canceled, but we are, for the time being, canceling or postponing all activities that involve people who are deemed at risk—meaning people over 60 and people who have other health risks.
So—for the time being, we’re pausing events like School of Christian Living, Conversational Church, on-campus Bible studies, and senior adult activities and meetings. Check our calendar for information about which other meetings and events have been canceled.
This time might have the effect of isolating us from one another, taking away a community that we love and need. And so, we’re going to make an effort to stay in touch in every way we can. The pastors and Congregational Care team are prepared to make extra visits and phone calls. You are encouraged to be in touch with one another—to check in with the people you see regularly at church, just to talk. Remember that there are likely to be people around you who are lonely and who would really appreciate a kind or thoughtful gesture.
And if you need something from your church, please call or send an email, and the pastors and staff will get back to you right away.
Mostly—take good care,
in this strange, difficult time.
Our God is bigger than every danger, even this one. Pray this week for regular reminders that God’s mercy and justice and compassion can outrun all the needs and fears of this world. Trust that, and rest in that trust.
