Pastor’s Pen

September is here! The last two months have flown by and students are already back in school. We remain in a liminal space at this stage of the pandemic. Escalating case numbers and the rise of the Delta variant has alerted experts and policy makers alike. At Corvallis UMC we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our church and the local community. In order to do so, we are offering a variety of options for folks to stay connected with us on a weekly basis. Starting on June 6th we were welcomed back to in-person worship for the first time since the pandemic began. The Pfizer Vaccine has received approval from the FDA, and I am fully vaccinated. The vaccines work and can be trusted. If you are wondering whether you should get the vaccine or not, please talk to your doctor. At the same time, we understand that not everyone in our community has been able to receive the vaccine. We are currently encouraging folks to wear masks when gathering for worship or Bible study. For those in our community who are cautious about returning to church, we are continuing to offer services transmitted via the radio in our parking lot and over Zoom. This is a great opportunity for fellowship in a safe and socially distanced manner. Bible studies have returned both in-person on Tuesdays and virtually on Thursdays. You are always welcome to join us. We are continuing to extend our reach into digital spaces with the development of our virtual community. Starting on Wednesday September 8, we will be launching a virtual contemporary service that will be livestreamed on our Facebook page. I hope that wherever you are at this stage in the pandemic that you would get connected and join us in fellowship. Despite all the turmoil of this present moment, we are firmly committed to being Christ’s hands and feet in the heart of the valley. Pastor Andrew.