Dear Franconia Church Community:
Our Healthy Church Team convened on Sunday to discuss the regional surge in COVID-19 infections and how it may affect our operations. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we want to help ensure the safety of our congregation while also recognizing the many benefits of in-person worship and other functions.
The current positivity rate in Fairfax County for those who are tested for COVID-19 is at nearly 20% — and within the last few days, the daily rate of infections exceeded 3,000 cases. This positivity rate more than doubled in a week’s time and far exceeds what was previously the standard to determine whether our district churches should offer in-person worship. The prior suggested benchmark for reinstituting in-person worship was 10%, and the Healthy Church Team has concluded that it remains a reasonable guide.
Given the existing surge and the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the Healthy Church Team determined that Franconia UMC will suspend in-person worship services, and worship-related functions such as choir and bell practice, through the end of January. Worship services – January 9 through January 30 – will remain available online starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Those will be “live-streamed,” and recorded versions will be available to watch at any time afterward. (As you may know, we’ve been live-streaming the services for many months.)
Please note that Kingdom Kids Sunday School will happen via Zoom at 10 a.m., while Franconia Players will meet via Zoom on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Youth Group will go to a virtual status beginning this Thursday, January 6, starting at 7:30 p.m. Non-worship functions and in-person small groups will be suspended except for Phoenix Rising. All God’s Children Preschool will remain in session with very strict COVID-protocols. (All of this information is available on our website – scroll down to the calendar on the home page or see the calendar option under “NEWS”.)
The Healthy Church Team will continue monitoring the positivity rate throughout the month and will reconvene January 27 to re-evaluate our circumstances. These decisions aren’t lightly made. Our concern for the congregation’s safety is paramount, and will remain so.
Please pray for our church, our community and the Healthy Church Team as we continue working to ensure the safety of all those we serve to the very best of our abilities. To keep up-to-date, visit the church calendar at https://923692.view-events.com/calendar/923692/.
Blessings,
Pastor Melissa and the Healthy Church Team