Moving Ahead
Grace and Peace to you, brothers and sisters in Christ!
If you ventured out of your home this weekend, you noticed the streets were busier than usual. Even as the world struggles with the pandemic, our governments to struggle with opening the world for limited commerce and resumption of daily activities. On Friday, May 8, at 5:00 p.m., North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper implemented Phase One of a three-phased Reopening Plan toward the goal of safely reopening our state. Our bishop in the North Carolina Conference also issued guidance to our United Methodist churches for safe reopening throughout the three phases of the plan. At Hayes Barton United Methodist Church we have been considering all of these recommendations based upon our unique context. With the guidance of state officials and our bishop – and through prayer and discernment with the Holy Spirit as our paramount guide – we have determined a flexible path for our community.
Our Bishop Hope Morgan Ward utilized the General Rules of our Wesleyan tradition in beginning the conversation about reopening our churches: do no harm; do all the good you can; and attend to the ordinances of God. At Hayes Barton UMC, we believe that these rules have regulated our lives together in Methodist churches for centuries, and they continue to guide us today. First, do no harm. It would be harmful for us to gather as a church community for worship, Bible studies, small groups, and mission trips right now. We fear that even with precautions such as mask wearing and social distancing, people could become infected with the COVID-19 virus.
After prayer and conversation with our Church Council, the church facilities will continue to remain closed during Phase I of North Carolina’s Reopening Plan. As each new phase of the Reopening Plan becomes effective, Hayes Barton UMC will evaluate our next steps. Please understand that based upon the Reopening Plan and our Bishop’s guidance, it is unlikely that church facilities will open in Phase Two of the Reopening Plan. We are hopeful that by doing no harm – remaining closed, staying at home, wearing masks in public, practicing social distancing, and being vigilant – we will be able to gather together in person for worship as soon as it is safe to do so. We encourage you to contact Executive Director Tim Price or one of the pastors if you have questions. We will alert you of any changes to Hayes Barton UMC policy as we enter Phase Two of the Reopening Plan toward the end of May. Let’s do no harm!
Secondly, by doing all the good we can, we may serve our community during this crisis. We urge you to continue to be the light of Christ in your families and in our community. Please keep praying. Please continue serving in the church’s ministries, if you are able. Please call, Facetime, Zoom, email, or drive by and wave to our church family members. Check in on one another. Meet the needs in our community generously. In this time of crisis, we can show our community that God still reigns, that Jesus still comforts, and that the Holy Spirit still nurtures the soul. Let’s do all the good we can!
Thirdly, by attending to the ordinances of God, we can continue to be disciples of Jesus Christ. What John Wesley meant by this phrase, is that we work on our faith through worship, searching the Scriptures, meeting together, fasting, and praying. Our worship will continue in its online capacity for the time being. We will continue to have virtual Bible studies, small groups, and meet ups. While we cannot meet for Holy Communion or Baptism, we can practice holy fasting from these sacraments until we can joyfully meet in person together. We can follow Christ’s commandments to love God, to love one another, and to spread the good news of Jesus to the world. If you have not yet connected virtually to worship or Bible studies, please contact one of the pastors or a church staff person, and we will help you connect. While this may be a fallow season for the world, it can be a fruitful season for God’s kingdom.
We love you. We miss laughing with you, hugging your children, learning together, singing on Sunday mornings, and visiting with you. We pray that by our practices of doing no harm that we will shorten the impact of this virus. In the meantime, do good and continue to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Molly
Below are the links to the Bishop’s Model for Renewing Face-to-Face Community and Worship and to North Carolina’s Reopening Plan.
