Dear Evergreen Family,
“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7).
We’ve just finished the long season of Easter, culminating in the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God completely transformed the lives of so many. As you might imagine, this was a time of heightened expectations. People wanted to know when some big things were going to happen. Jesus gave them the answer above. Fortunately for us, the dates of some very big things are being revealed to us right now!
1. The Greenhouse reopens on June 6th! Our Sunday morning children’s programming is coming back in stages. Starting on June 6th, at the 9:00 a.m. service, there will be an elementary-age class outdoors. At the 10:00 a.m. service, there will be a preschool-age class gathering indoors (then utilizing outdoor space for part of the program). We can’t wait! As Covid conditions and families’ comfort levels continue to improve, we will monitor and make appropriate changes to the Greenhouse.
2. Masks become optional inside the church building for vaccinated persons beginning June 27th! The Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church has determined that churches no longer need to require vaccinated persons to wear masks inside church buildings after May 28th. Out of an abundance of caution, Evergreen will continue to require that everyone wear masks inside our church until June 26th. On June 27th, masks will become optional for vaccinated persons. No one will ask for proof of vaccination, we’ll be on the “honor system.” Of course, all of this is subject to change, as we need to stay in compliance with the requirements of the Virginia Conference. We are grateful for this newest step forward and look forward to the next step forward!
May God bless us all.
Your Fellow Minister in Christ,
Mark