Dear Members and Friends of The United Methodist Church of Merrick,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Risen Christ!
I pray this newsletter finds you and your family well.
With the Coronavirus Pandemic Lockdown restrictions somewhat eased, Merrick United Methodist Church has reopened for Sunday Worship.
We thank God and the faith community for their love and support during this difficult time.
Now although the restrictions have eased and we are able to again worship together, we need to remember that the pandemic has not ended, and the danger of contracting the virus has not lessened. The New York Annual Conference (NYAC) has therefore mandated strict guidelines and protocol to be followed by all churches and parishioners to minimize the risk of contracting the virus.
Some of the guidelines to be followed during worship are:
• Anyone entering the church must wear a mask at all times.
• Sanitize hands when entering.
• No Chorus Team (Soloist is allowed).
• No communal singing (Soloist is allowed).
• Keep social distance of at least 6 feet.
• No greeting lines or greeters.
• No physical contact such as handshake or hugs.
• No Baptism until further notice.
• No Coffee hour after the service.
• All activities such as VBS and Yard Sales have been suspended until further notice.
The NYAC recommends that all persons over the age of 65 and persons with preexisting health issues not come to church to worship. The worship service will be recorded and posted on the church website and Merrick UMC FaceBook page so that those who did not attend the service may still worship in the safely of their own home.
The full list of Guidelines and Protocols can be found on the NYAC website, as well as in the Merrick UMC FaceBook page.
Our Mid-Week Church Prayer Time is currently being conducted over conference telephone call, and our Sunday Evening prayer conference telephone call has been expanded to every Sunday evening. Please join us to pray for yourself and others.
These are difficult times, and we can see the turmoil continuing for a while longer. The Lord God never promised us an easy time, but He did promise us that He will be with us during those difficult times. And if God is with us, who can be against us.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)
As the congregation of Merrick UMC and I walk and live the Christian path together in this journey of life, we invite you to join us in this journey.
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Akio Iyoda
