November 2020

Update 11.1.2020
Appreciating our time together, no matter how it may be…
At this time of Thanksgiving, we are very appreciative of the Shepherd community. Being able to come together, however it may be, and share our faith as something that together we can all be grateful for. As the times change, so does our church, as we come together in how we serve the greater community.
 
Here are the recent changes that Shepherd has adopted in these changing times.
 
Our worship: Starting November 1, Indoor Worship and Online Worship! As listed in last month’s update, we are moving to this new format. If anyone is uncomfortable with the guidelines, or chooses not to follow them, we ask you to please consider protecting the congregation by worshiping at home; as we will continue to live stream our services.  Also, if you are in a high-risk category (and for your own safety) please join us via our live streaming of the service. Our goal as a congregation is to protect each other from contracting COVID-19. We need to be willing to take precautions to protect each other, the community and ourselves. These guidelines can be found on our website under sohsv.org/RSVP.  Worshiping    on-site is a decision you and your family will need to prayerfully make. Some of you will decide to return to the sanctuary for worship, and some of you will choose to remain at home for worship. Either way you choose, God is still speaking among us. Be well and know that you are greatly loved!
 
Our building: We have made some changes to our heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC). We have added an ionizer onto our sanctuary system that will continuously be helping to provide cleaner air for all of those using that space. We have also installed many touchless hand sanitizer stations throughout the building and floor decals reminding all to stay at safely socially distant. We have some groups that have moved back into the building and please know that we are doing whatever we can to ensure that we are following the best protocols of this pandemic.

Our (other) gatherings: Wednesday 1:00 Bible Study has now moved to the narthex. Please enter in Door A and as a friendly reminder, masks are required. 6:30 pm bible study is still available on Zoom each week. Book Studies are also on Zoom and information is on our website under Adult Faith Formation. Coffee & Donuts is also continuing and will be offered online on Zoom. See the eNews for information on this.

As always, we appreciate all of your flexibility in the continuous changes and supporting each other in being the church.


In God’s Peace, Your Shepherd Staff 
Pr. Renee, Jilene, Pr. Brice, Joe, Sr. Tashina, Miranda, and Michelle