Dear friends and members of Arlington Community Church,

Governor Newsom’s recent executive order, which you can read here recommends that "Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines."

Because the core of our congregation is in the higher-risk category, we are making the difficult decision to cancel March 15 worship, and to suspend small group gatherings (including Bible Study, Memoir Group, Choir and Bell Choir rehearsal), until further notice .

My heart breaks at the loss of connection with these gatherings going away temporarily, but this is clearly a crucial time in the spread of the virus in our country. We cannot be certain who is infected, and we need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to keep the most vulnerable among us safe.

Rest assured that church is not disappearing. I will be offering a “virtual church video” with a short message and prayer that will be available for you to experience from home on Sunday morning. Information on how to access the video will be in tomorrow’s Parishscope.

ACC is also in the process of forming a “care team” that will be able to respond to people’s needs, in the event that members of our community do get sick. While respecting your privacy, I hope you will let me know (revnateklug@gmail.com) if your own health situation changes.

During this frenetic day, two hymn lyrics have been running through my head: “The storm is passing over” and “We’ve come this far by faith.” We don’t know what the next day will hold, but we do know that one day this, too, shall pass. In the meantime, we move forward accompanied by God’s tenacious love.

Please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

Rev. Nate Klug, Pastor
Linda Young, Moderator
Arlington Community Church Council