Dear friends,
The meteorologists are predicting a wonderful weekend that feels like fall. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some cooler outdoor temps. While things feel quite different this year – can you say, “college football”?? “People decorating for Halloween in September”?? “Virtual school”?? – one thing hasn’t changed. Humans are resilient and adaptive and figuring out creative ways to do this thing called life in the midst of a pandemic that’s rocked our whole world.

Our congregation adapted once again last Sunday as we held our first worship service on our lawn. It was a meaningful time together that went really well. So … we’re planning to do it again this Sunday at 9:00am. I’m hoping we can continue with worship on the lawn for the next few weeks as we take advantage of the fall weather. It allows us to safely social distance outdoors while also worshiping together in person.

Our worship will be an informal time (45 minutes-ish) for socially distanced conversation, air hugs, music, prayer, and a message from me. You’re invited to bring your family and/or friends with whom you’ve been quarantining at home.

We have a few guidelines that everyone must agree to adhere to:

• Everyone must RSVP. You can do so by clicking here. I know it feels weird to RSVP for worship, but it really does help us prepare the lawn seating arrangements for all who are coming. If for some reason you wake up Sunday morning and realize at 8:00am that you forgot to RSVP, you’re still welcome to join us at 9:00am.
• Everyone must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth. We’ll have extras on hand should someone need one.
• Everyone must bring their own lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
  For those who are not yet ready to gather with a large group, we support your decision. Virtual Worship will still be offered beginning at 11:00am on our church’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

As always, I’m praying for you as I hope you’re praying for me. May God surround you with the support and encouragement you need to be a light for Jesus Christ in our hurting world.
Living with Hope,

Rev. Malinda Weaver

P.S. If, like me, you have some OCD tendencies or great attention to detail, you may have noticed that I changed the name of our outdoor worship service from Worship on the Corner to Worship on the Lawn. There was no deep, profound reason for doing that other than the fact that everyone I’ve talked to kept calling it Lawn Worship or Worship on the Lawn. If there’s anything I’ve learned in the last six months, it’s that you have to be flexible or as I often say, “We just gotta roll with it!” Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but in this instance, it was pretty easy. So I changed the name. For those of you who didn’t notice the change, I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.