We understand that these unprecedented times may cause a lot of fear and anxiety. Remember that Jesus said, “’Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.’” John 14:27
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. So may God bless your coming days and weeks with the power and courage to show uncommon love and generosity even amidst isolation and fear. Find ways to stay connected, check our website for a growing list of ways to care for others generously, and let us all be in prayer for one another, for those who are sick, for those who care them, and for the vast number of doctors, nurses, researchers, and others working to treat, end and prevent this disease.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. So may God bless your coming days and weeks with the power and courage to show uncommon love and generosity even amidst isolation and fear. Find ways to stay connected, check our website for a growing list of ways to care for others generously, and let us all be in prayer for one another, for those who are sick, for those who care them, and for the vast number of doctors, nurses, researchers, and others working to treat, end and prevent this disease.
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The Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church has put forth a plan for reentry that is guided by John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules, which provides a message and methodology of how to approach our strategic and compassionate plan to care for our churches and communities through COVID-19. Wesley’s rules have been placed within a stoplight framework to guide us as we move through a graduated 3-Level reentry process from red to yellow to green status in an intentional and careful model of care and mutual accountability.
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LEVEL 3 - RED LIGHT STATUS: Stop All Non-essential Gatherings. Essential workers only. This is the stay home and "stay in love with God" phase of our ministry.
LEVEL 2 - YELLOW LIGHT STATUS: Cautionary Return. This is the "do good" phase as some restrictions are lifted. This means a gradual return to gatherings and doing so in a cautionary manner.
LEVEL 1 - GREEN LIGHT STATUS: Virus is contained and people are safe. This is the "do no harm phase" and permission will be granted for communities of faith to return to full activity, and mass gathering will be allowed to resume.
LEVEL 2 - YELLOW LIGHT STATUS: Cautionary Return. This is the "do good" phase as some restrictions are lifted. This means a gradual return to gatherings and doing so in a cautionary manner.
LEVEL 1 - GREEN LIGHT STATUS: Virus is contained and people are safe. This is the "do no harm phase" and permission will be granted for communities of faith to return to full activity, and mass gathering will be allowed to resume.
STATUS: YELLOW PHASE | Effective 06.15.2020
Even as we enter Yellow Light Status, high-risk individuals should practice sheltering in place. This would include people over 60, those with underlying conditions or other vulnerabilities, those who have tested positive, and those who have been exposed to someone COVID-19 positive in the last 14 days. This includes staff, volunteers, parishioners and guests. In the Yellow Phase, everyone is asked to observe 6 feet of physical distance and wear masks.
WORSHIP
12:00 PM – recorded worship available at www.polkcityumc.org/online-worship
OUTDOOR SPACES
INDOOR SPACES
The following have been approved to use the building in the following ways:
WORSHIP
- Online worship will continue each Sunday during the Yellow Phase
12:00 PM – recorded worship available at www.polkcityumc.org/online-worship
- Outdoor worship is planned to begin July 12th at Polk City UMC
OUTDOOR SPACES
- Outdoor green spaces are open for use by our sports and recreation partners, who will be limiting practices to smaller groups and promoting physical distancing.
- Outdoor space is also available for small group gatherings for things like book clubs, bible study, connection groups, and worship.
INDOOR SPACES
The following have been approved to use the building in the following ways:
- NP Comet Cupboard food pantry ministry: Designated volunteers are limited to the entryway and front office, and will use the main entrance only.
- St. Luke’s Free Clinic: Clinic staff and volunteers are limited to clinic area and single restroom, and will use the East Hallway entrance only. Patients will wait in parking lot until cleared to enter.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: group attendees will limit building use to the Wing in the Woods, using the North Wing entrance.
- Office use is limited to church staff, church council leaders and designated ministry volunteers.
ACTS OF KINDNESSThe Polk City Nursing and Rehab Center is requesting cards, letters and artwork for their residents. Their address is:
Polk City Nursing & Rehab 1002 W. Washington Avenue Polk City, IA 50226 The month of May includes International Firefighter's Day, Teacher Appreciation, Nurse Appreciation and EMS Appreciation! You might also want to thank other healthcare workers, first responders, grocery clerks, pharmacists,
mail carriers and other essential workers during this time! Use the links below to download addresses and templates for writing a letter of thanks & encouragement. |
Being the church without wallsWhile we have made the decision to close the building and suspend all in-person gatherings of any size, I want to remind you that our love for God and one another are never cancelled. We will continue to find ways to practice our faith, to maintain our worship, and to care for one another and the least of these in our community. We can practice uncommon love and social connection while maintaining physical distancing. Here is our plan moving forward: WORSHIP SERVICES will be offered digitally in the following ways:
GIVING - while we are not able to give our tithes and offerings in person, we urge you to continue to make your offerings to the work of God's kingdom through this congregation's ministries.
LIFE GROUPS We're encouraging ALL ADULTS to join a Life Group - a smaller group of people with whom you can share the ups and downs of life. These groups will function to help us all connect to a small group of spiritual friends, making sure that even as we are practicing social distancing, we are staying connected to community in a way that feeds our souls! Pastor Melody will supply groups with a "quickstart guide" to help us with a weekly check-in (either through phone, texting, zoom or whatever communication platform your group chooses) . To get connected, fill out the form below and choose your preference for a group type. (Group types include singles, couples, parents, women's groups, men's groups, young adults, middle-aged adults, second half of life adults, etc.) CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL One of our Sunday School teaching teams, Emily & Justin Young, with help from their assistant Parker, make a Sunday School video each week , just for our church! We add links to a Bible Lesson and a worship coloring and activity sheet, as well as a way to put what they've learned in action with a suggested family activity. Look for the Children's Corner on the digital worship page of our website. YOUTH GROUP for 6th-12th grades will use social media and Zoom to stay connected. Join us for youth group Wednesday nights at 6:30 via Zoom! (Links provided in weekly emails. Sign up HERE. PRAYER REQUESTS can be shared in a variety of ways:
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If you need help with any of the digital platforms we will be using for worship, bible study and devotions, please email us at office@polkcityumc.org and we will walk you through what to do.
May 6, 2020 - Update
Our church's Leaders Council met this week and appointed a task force to review recommendations from the CDC and from the Iowa Conference of the UMC about best practices for reopening.
Meanwhile, we are enacting a plan for a thorough cleaning of the building, as well as a new plan for weekly cleanings based on recommendations from the CDC and OSHA.
Please hear these words of caution from your pastor: I know that we are growing weary of staying isolated. We look around and see where restrictions are being lifted in some parts of our state, and some parts of our country. We will even see some congregations resuming in-person worship soon. HOWEVER, if we were to compare this global pandemic to other natural disasters we have experienced here in Iowa, such as flooding - we are still in the "active flooding" stage. The number of confirmed cases, the number of hospitalizations, and unfortunately, the number of deaths in Iowa, and in Polk County, are still increasing.
We are still in the pandemic stage of widespread transmission.
Until we see a consistent 2 to 4 week downward trajectory in all three of these categories, the CDC advises staying at home except for essential trips to buy groceries, pick up prescriptions, and obtain medical care. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please call your doctor. If you do go out for an essential shopping trip, or even for recreation, please wear a mask and practice social distancing. As the weather warms up, do get outside, but please, please , don't be lulled into thinking that we are out of danger. Stay vigilant and stay safe.
As followers of Christ who have been taught the importance of servant hood and loving our neighbors, we have the opportunity in these days to lead by example - to show our community how Love puts the safety of others above prosperity and personal preference . If wearing a mask and staying home are what we are told will do the most good for others, then this is our call right now as Christians.
We all miss seeing each other, and we continue to pray for the day when we can safely gather in-person again. But for now, we stay home so that when we do gather again, no one is missing!
Blessings,
Pastor Melody
Our church's Leaders Council met this week and appointed a task force to review recommendations from the CDC and from the Iowa Conference of the UMC about best practices for reopening.
Meanwhile, we are enacting a plan for a thorough cleaning of the building, as well as a new plan for weekly cleanings based on recommendations from the CDC and OSHA.
Please hear these words of caution from your pastor: I know that we are growing weary of staying isolated. We look around and see where restrictions are being lifted in some parts of our state, and some parts of our country. We will even see some congregations resuming in-person worship soon. HOWEVER, if we were to compare this global pandemic to other natural disasters we have experienced here in Iowa, such as flooding - we are still in the "active flooding" stage. The number of confirmed cases, the number of hospitalizations, and unfortunately, the number of deaths in Iowa, and in Polk County, are still increasing.
We are still in the pandemic stage of widespread transmission.
Until we see a consistent 2 to 4 week downward trajectory in all three of these categories, the CDC advises staying at home except for essential trips to buy groceries, pick up prescriptions, and obtain medical care. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please call your doctor. If you do go out for an essential shopping trip, or even for recreation, please wear a mask and practice social distancing. As the weather warms up, do get outside, but please, please , don't be lulled into thinking that we are out of danger. Stay vigilant and stay safe.
As followers of Christ who have been taught the importance of servant hood and loving our neighbors, we have the opportunity in these days to lead by example - to show our community how Love puts the safety of others above prosperity and personal preference . If wearing a mask and staying home are what we are told will do the most good for others, then this is our call right now as Christians.
We all miss seeing each other, and we continue to pray for the day when we can safely gather in-person again. But for now, we stay home so that when we do gather again, no one is missing!
Blessings,
Pastor Melody
April 27, 2020 - Update
Even though Iowa's governor made an announcement today that houses of worship can begin to reopen in some parts of the state, Polk City United Methodist Church will refrain from any in-person gatherings, including worship, until at least June 1st when we can reassess the situation in Iowa.
The number of positive cases in our state, and in Polk County, continue to rise, and we are still weeks from the anticipated peak in the number of positive cases in our area. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, and in compliance with a request from the Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, our doors will remain closed at this time.
We miss seeing all of you, and continue to pray for the day when we can safely gather in-person again. But for now, we stay home so that when we do gather again, no one is missing!
Bishop Laurie Haller's full statement can be read here: https://www.iaumc.org/…/letter-from-bishop-laurie-regarding…
Stay home, stay safe, and keep looking for the things that bring you joy!
Blessings,
Pastor Melody
Even though Iowa's governor made an announcement today that houses of worship can begin to reopen in some parts of the state, Polk City United Methodist Church will refrain from any in-person gatherings, including worship, until at least June 1st when we can reassess the situation in Iowa.
The number of positive cases in our state, and in Polk County, continue to rise, and we are still weeks from the anticipated peak in the number of positive cases in our area. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, and in compliance with a request from the Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, our doors will remain closed at this time.
We miss seeing all of you, and continue to pray for the day when we can safely gather in-person again. But for now, we stay home so that when we do gather again, no one is missing!
Bishop Laurie Haller's full statement can be read here: https://www.iaumc.org/…/letter-from-bishop-laurie-regarding…
Stay home, stay safe, and keep looking for the things that bring you joy!
Blessings,
Pastor Melody
03/17/2020 - buildings closed, effective immediately
We value our partnership with community leaders and feel privileged to be able to offer our spaces for such important events as scouting meetings, recovery group meetings, community learning, as well as a place to gather with friends and family for momentous celebrations for birthdays, graduations, and even deaths. However, in light of the latest guidelines from the CDC, the President of the United States and the Governor of Iowa, we are going to follow their recommendations to close our building for public gatherings. This includes all of the aforementioned gatherings as well as our church's own worship services, Sunday School classes, adult and youth small groups and ministry meetings.
We are working to be able to offer video and teleconferencing options for church committee meetings, adult bible study and youth group virtual gatherings. Check back here for those links - they will be posted as soon as they are available.
03/14/2020 - in-person worship suspended, effective immediately
While we know how important it is to share our life of faith within community, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to protect those most vulnerable to serious health risks – persons over age 60 and persons of any age with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma or other lung conditions. Based on the latest recommendations from faith leaders in the United Methodist Church, and from the Iowa Faith Leadership Network, we have made the decision to suspend all in-person worship and large gatherings from now into the foreseeable future. This includes Sunday School, adult small groups and youth groups. We will be offering ONLINE WORSHIP Sundays at 10:30am during this time on our facebook page: www.Facebook.com/polkcityumc. Simply go to our Facebook page at 10:30am on Sundays to worship with us online. If you are not on facebook, click HERE to read the sermon or watch recorded services.
Please continue to pray for those who are affected by this virus – those who are ill, the medical professionals treating them, the scientists working on vaccines and cures, those with mental health concerns, and the leaders making tough decisions to try and curb the spread of the virus and keep us safe, as well as those who are feeling lonely and isolated at this time. Check on your friends and neighbors. If you know someone who may not have internet access, give them a call and share this information. If the virus spreads through our community as predicted, we can continue to reach out and care for one another through phone calls, emails and social media. In the time that we are not meeting in person, hold on to the promise God makes to never leave us or forsake us:
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139: 7-12 (NIV)
We value our partnership with community leaders and feel privileged to be able to offer our spaces for such important events as scouting meetings, recovery group meetings, community learning, as well as a place to gather with friends and family for momentous celebrations for birthdays, graduations, and even deaths. However, in light of the latest guidelines from the CDC, the President of the United States and the Governor of Iowa, we are going to follow their recommendations to close our building for public gatherings. This includes all of the aforementioned gatherings as well as our church's own worship services, Sunday School classes, adult and youth small groups and ministry meetings.
We are working to be able to offer video and teleconferencing options for church committee meetings, adult bible study and youth group virtual gatherings. Check back here for those links - they will be posted as soon as they are available.
03/14/2020 - in-person worship suspended, effective immediately
While we know how important it is to share our life of faith within community, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to protect those most vulnerable to serious health risks – persons over age 60 and persons of any age with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma or other lung conditions. Based on the latest recommendations from faith leaders in the United Methodist Church, and from the Iowa Faith Leadership Network, we have made the decision to suspend all in-person worship and large gatherings from now into the foreseeable future. This includes Sunday School, adult small groups and youth groups. We will be offering ONLINE WORSHIP Sundays at 10:30am during this time on our facebook page: www.Facebook.com/polkcityumc. Simply go to our Facebook page at 10:30am on Sundays to worship with us online. If you are not on facebook, click HERE to read the sermon or watch recorded services.
Please continue to pray for those who are affected by this virus – those who are ill, the medical professionals treating them, the scientists working on vaccines and cures, those with mental health concerns, and the leaders making tough decisions to try and curb the spread of the virus and keep us safe, as well as those who are feeling lonely and isolated at this time. Check on your friends and neighbors. If you know someone who may not have internet access, give them a call and share this information. If the virus spreads through our community as predicted, we can continue to reach out and care for one another through phone calls, emails and social media. In the time that we are not meeting in person, hold on to the promise God makes to never leave us or forsake us:
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139: 7-12 (NIV)
helpful Information about the covid-19 virus
These resources can help us better understand more about this outbreak,
and ways we can protect ourselves and others.
and ways we can protect ourselves and others.
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