A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR MATT MITCHELL

COVID UPDATE - AUGUST 2021

​

Dear Church Family,

​

    As I’m sure you are all aware, we find ourselves in a difficult spot again regarding COVID and the new Delta variant. While I had hoped that the numbers would be trending in the opposite direction, they are not, and it has forced us to make some decisions about how we are going to proceed as a church.  The Session met on Tuesday evening and decided to follow the CDC’s guidelines regarding masks in mass gathering spaces. Therefore, we are highly encouraging everyone who attends any function at our church building, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, to wear a mask and maintain safe distances from others. Furthermore, we are also encouraging anyone who has any health factors which they think puts them at risk of being more susceptible to COVID, who has any symptoms, or has been exposed to COVID in the past 14 days, to stay home and participate in our worship service online. We have poured a lot of time and money into making the online worship service a great experience so I hope you will take advantage of it. You can find the link to our YouTube channel on our website (www.firstpascagoula.org). 

    It is our desire to maintain as normal a schedule as possible for as long as we believe that it can be done safely. We will continue to have Sunday School classes, Children’s and Youth programs and our Summer Supper Series (without dinner) and pray that things turn around. However, at all of these events we will continue to highly encourage the wearing of masks.

     I know this is frustrating news to be receiving as no one likes the inconveniences of wearing masks and having to be extra cautious all of the time. However, I am moved by Paul’s words to the church in Corinth when he said “Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (I Cor. 10: 23-24) As you’ve heard us say from the pulpit many times, God has called us into community together and we want to do everything we can to protect that community so that we can continue to meet together. It is not our desire to infringe on individual “rights,” but to uphold and strengthen the community as we seek to glorify Christ together. 

      I want you to know that your Session is prayerfully meeting and will be communicating often on these issues. It is our desire to stay as flexible as possible in order to best meet the needs of our church community. Therefore it is important for you to stay as informed as possible. We will be sending out emails regularly and updating our Facebook and website with any new details. Please pray for your leadership as we seek to lead the church in a Christ-like fashion. 

​

So Much Love,

Pastor Matt and the Session