[UPDATE (06/04): Groups of 10 and less people are now permitted to gather if they’re able to maintain social distancing between households. If you missed the new announcements from Gov. Walz, then you can find the latest here. As a result, we’re excited to have willing groups at Trinity resume in-person meetings by following these guidelines. In addition, we’re in phase one of three phases before we open Social Distance Gatherings.]
On Friday afternoon (03/13), Gov. Walz declared a “peacetime emergency” for Minnesota. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommended the cancellation of all large events, which includes smaller events that cannot allow social distancing of 6 feet per person. The MDH announced these strategies to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus in Minnesota with confirmed cases of COVID-19 increasing.
The greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors. This is a time where the local church can glorify God and love our neighbors by joining the effort to slow down the spread of this virus. Each local church will face difficult decisions when deciding what this will look like.
In light of this, the Directional Team has decided to suspend Sunday Gatherings and all corporate events including Sunday School until further instruction or more information from the MDH. Again, this situation is fluid. We will be monitoring the latest information and making adjustments accordingly.
Assuming we don’t encounter technical difficulties, we will provide a online service by 10am this Sunday that’ll include music and a sermon. The sermon will lean directly into this present experience. A link to that media will be posted on our website and Facebook page. We will continue to provide this ministry of music and a message while Sunday Gatherings are suspended.
If you are not connected at Trinity, then contact us. We will help you connect. Some may not have the option to meet in person due to vulnerabilities towards this particular virus or simply because one is uncomfortable meeting during this time. If this is you, then continue to connect with others by sharing prayer requests and life updates to your church community through technology (video chats, social media, text messaging, phone calls, etc.).
If there is any way we can support you, or if you have any questions at all, please contact us.
Most of us have never experienced anything like this before. As one pastor put it, dealing with COVID-19 is going to be less like encountering a single blizzard and more like going through the season of winter. Not only will our local church meet challenges in this time but so will our neighbors. We will not only be diligent in washing our own hands but committed to figuring out the best way to wash the feet of others in service. It is in challenging times like these that the Lord shows up, the gospel shines bright, and we get to witness his glory in unique ways. Let’s open our eyes in hope and fold our hands in prayer so that we can join God in the renewal of our city and world—even during this time.
On behalf of the Directional Team,
Pastor Bryan