After a great deal of prayerful conversation, the Session of First Presbyterian Church has voted to cancel all church activities, including worship and all group meetings, for two weeks beginning today, Friday, March 13 and lasting through Friday, March 27. We are concerned about the contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus and the reality that most of our members are in a high-risk category for becoming severely ill. We feel that this is the wisest decision to for our worshiping community.
Last night, Dallas County declared a public health emergency concerning the COVID-19 virus, and has asked the public to comply with certain restrictions including social distancing to help prevent the spread of this virus. Gatherings of over 500 people have been prohibited as of this morning, and other gatherings have been discouraged. Of most relevance to our congregation is the specific request of the Dallas County Health and Human Services Director that people over the age of 60 and people with underlying health issues avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.
This closure will include all groups who use the FPCGP facilities, including the IEP worshipping community and the Mizios worshipping community. It will also include the Parent’s Day Out program.
We are working on various ways to offer pastoral care and worship/prayer opportunities during this time. We will update you as soon as those plans have been finalized. Please call the church office with any pastoral care needs.
Let us keep all of the people who have been and will be effected by this virus, as well as our leaders, first-responders, and medical professionals as they make important decisions and provide medical assistance to those in need.
Above all, remember God’s promises in scripture to be with us in every situation, to love us and comfort us. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Blessings,
Pastor Carolyn