Hello there,

Greetings to you and your family. We hope that you are staying well and healthy. This email update includes important information of what's going on at Oberlin UMC. If you have any questions please feel free to contract us.

Thanks!

Updates relative to “in-person” worship:

Staff Pastor-Parish Relations met on Thursday, June 4 and we have determined that we will begin worship “in person” on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 10:45 AM at the City Park.  If possible, bring your own lawn or folding chair.  We ask that persons attending “in person” worship maintain 6’ social distancing at this and future worship services.  If you do not feel well, or should you feel unsafe in gatherings, we encourage you to stay at home.  The worship service will be recorded and uploaded for you to watch at a later time.  Sunday’s service cannot be streamed until later on Sunday, June 14.  Should you have questions, please call the church office, 785.475.3067.

Back in the sanctuary – Oberlin UMC will begin worshipping “in our sanctuary” on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 10:45 AM.  Face masks and hand sanitizers will be available.  Will worship be exactly as it was when we left what we knew as “normal”, you might ask?

We will continue to have “young disciple time”.  But it will look a little different.  Children will not be gathering at the front for their time, but rather will remain with their parents in the pew.  The noisy change offering will still be available, but rather will be collected as you enter or leave the sanctuary, and this will be the way regular tithes/offerings will be received as well.

Nursery and educational opportunities as we have observed in the past are not currently available.  If you have concerns about children opportunities, you are encouraged to speak with me and we will discuss needs and what we “might” be able to offer.

Some individuals will wear face masks and some will not.  There will be face masks available, should you desire.

Bulletins, hymnals and Bibles -  weekly bulletins will continue to be emailed out and some people will want to print their own bulletin and bring it with you to worship.  All Bibles, hymnals and song books have been removed from the pews.  The words to songs and the liturgy will be available through the bulletin or on the screens during worship.  If you bring your Bible or a hymnal, you will want to be sure to take it with you following worship.

Hospitality – we can be a warm, friendly and caring community of believers without handshakes and hugs.  It is a good idea to remember that even though you may feel safe shaking hands, elbow bumping or sharing hugs, not everyone in attendance may feel comfortable to share in that manner.  We can share caring for others through waving hands, smiling and respecting social distancing.

Sunday Morning Worship Bulletin

Those who wish to have a printed bulletin, please check your email and/or the church website.  Bulletins will normally be available by Friday afternoon for Sunday morning worship.

Great Plains Annual Conference Appointments

I am pleased to announce I will be serving as your pastor for 2020-2021

Thursday Thoughts

We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another.” Toby Mac #speaklife

Blessings,

Pastor Gordon