Dear Friends in Christ:

Yesterday we learned that a person who attends a weekly event at the church (an outside group that plays bridge on Thursdays) has tested positive for the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19. The individual in question is not a member of this congregation. At present, we are not aware of anyone in the congregation who has been exposed to the virus. Still, in response to this event, and the rapidly developing situation in New York City, we will now implement precautions designed to safeguard you and to allow this church to continue critical ministries.

Here are the steps we have already taken:
 
The church is closed until Sunday as our building staff thoroughly disinfects the facility. All activities have been canceled, including the remaining performances of Theatre Fellowship’s production of Blithe Spirit. Please do not come to the church this week unless you are a Saturday morning Meals on Heels volunteer. Meal on Heels is still in business (and more urgently needed than ever). More on that below.

We will celebrate worship this Sunday on our usual schedule (9:30 and 11 am), but other Sunday programs are canceled. There will be no activities in the Christian Education Center (including Little Lambs, Sunday School and Youth Group), no Children’s Church, no tours and no Adult Education. Look for my Friday morning email for more details about Sunday. We will post a video recording of our 11 am service for any of you who cannot attend.

We have closed the David B. Skinner Shelter until Monday. The shelter will then re-open with a smaller population of guests. All shelter hosts received an email about the changes in our operations earlier this week.

We believe the most responsible and the most faithful thing we can do as a church right now is to help the city contain the spread of COVID-19 and to take particular care of our most vulnerable people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone with a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 to stay home or avoid large public gatherings in this time.

So, let me be blunt: We want to protect our most vulnerable members from exposure. Please look at this list of vulnerable categories. If you find yourself on this list, do not come to church until we wave the all-clear sign!

If you are 70 years old or older;

OR

If you have any of the following health conditions: heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or a chronic lung condition, recent chemotherapy or (for any reason) a compromised immune system, please stay home.

How long will this last? We can’t predict right now. We may be in this pattern for a couple of months or more. Know that we are monitoring this situation every day and will keep you informed of any change as soon as possible.

All of the pastors intend to remain in close contact with those of you who will be staying away from the church. Help us to help you. Let us know who you are. Let us know what you need. We are here for you. If you live within walking distance of the church and would like to receive weekend deliveries from Meals on Heels, contact us at [email protected].

We are closing the church to the public on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. On these days, only certain members of the staff, finance volunteers on Monday and Meals on Heels volunteers on Saturday will have access to the building. There will be no church-sponsored meetings or other activities during the week or on Sundays.

For the foreseeable future, we will focus on a short list of core activities – Worship, the Homeless Shelter, Meals on Heels and Street Outreach – and minimize all other programming. For this reason, the following programs have been suspended:

• Adult Education classes (including our Lenten spiritual practice series)
• Community Choir
• All Community Groups that meet at the church
• Family Ministries programs
• Women’s Association programs
• Cooking with Shelter Guests
• Employment Advisory
• Health Advocates for Older People (Wednesday afternoon exercise classes)
• The Compassionate Friends

We have also canceled the following events:

• Deacons Clothing Drive (March 16-22)
• The Circle: Conversations about Health, Wellness & Spirituality (March 22 & May 3)
• Youth Overnighter (March 27-28)
• The Lenten Concert by the Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir (April 2 & 3)
• 20s + 30s Potluck (April 7)
• FAPC Serves (May 2)

We are updating our website to reflect these changes in our schedule. The staff is also coming up with online alternatives for Adult Education, Youth Group and other activities, so stay tuned!

This is a challenging time to be the church. Every action we are taking is with your health and safety foremost in our minds. Your pastors love you! We will remain in close contact as we navigate these choppy waters. Let us all resolve to be smart, patient, kind and prayerful as we move through this season.

Grace and peace to you,

Scott Black Johnston
Senior Pastor