March 18, 2020

Dear Crosswalk Family,

I wanted to give you all an update on our church’s response to our state’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. On March 12, Governor Evers declared a health emergency, and yesterday, March 18, he gave an order prohibiting the public gathering of 10 or more people for the duration of this health emergency. These unprecedented realities are forcing everyone in our communities to adjust to a new way of life, including our churches.

Last night the Elder Board and I met to discuss the implications of our current situation for our ministry here at Crosswalk. Until further notice, Crosswalk is taking the following measures:

  1. We will not be physically gathering for Sunday morning worship for the foreseeable future. Instead we, the church, will each be worshiping the Lord in our own homes. One of the blessings of the time in which we live is that technology will still allow us to do that corporately, in a sense. We are right now working on ways to connect us all “real-time” on Sunday mornings for prayer, Scripture reading, meditations, and a message from God’s Word. Our goal is to make this as interactive as possible. More information will be coming on this very soon.

  2. All ministry programs will be suspended during this time. This includes small groups, youth group, all children’s programs, and any other organized ministry of the church. Once we have the logistics in place for Sunday morning worship, we would encourage small groups to continue meeting virtually for fellowship, support, and prayer, and we’ll do whatever we can to help facilitate that.

  3. We are working on plans to assure that all individuals and families are regularly engaged and supported during this time. This is a unique season, with unique opportunities to love and serve one another. Like never before, each of us needs to see ourselves as ministers of one another, building each other up in the faith. If you have ideas for ministry to others during this time, I would be very excited to hear about them.

  4. We will be constantly exploring ways to provide additional online ministry content for you on our website (www.crosswalkcommunity.org) during this season of extended social distancing. We know many kids, youth, and families will be stuck indoors more than usual during this season, and we hope to supplement you with some meaningful and enriching spiritual diversions.

  5. Our primary means of communication during this time will be the Crosswalk website. There we will provide regular updates and announcements. We will also give clear directions for submitting prayer requests and/or requesting personal support or assistance (i.e., “Does anyone have any toilet paper?”). We will do our best to respond promptly and help as we are able.

  6. Crosswalk has a reputation for being a generous and help-giving church. With that being the case, we are also expecting that we will become aware of numerous needs in our broader community. As we are made aware of those needs, we will share them with the Crosswalk family, anticipating that we will seize on opportunities to demonstrate Christ’s love in many tangible ways.

  7. No one would deny that we are living in a season of uncertainty. That uncertainty lends itself to greater financial concerns and pressures for all of us. Please know that the leadership of our church is praying for you, your family, your places of employment, etc. Our prayer is that God would protect and provide for all of us during this trying time. As we pray for you, would you please pray for God’s protection and provision for our church? Crosswalk needs your faithful financial support now more than ever. You will be receiving another correspondence soon on different options for giving.

I want to thank you for your understanding and support of all of these changes. None of us envisioned any of this even as recently as a week ago. We are truly walking by faith, seeking God’s counsel hour by hour, and striving to live and love faithfully for the sake of the Gospel. We covet your prayers during this trying season.

Remember, we are the church, and not the physical building that has its doors locked right now. And Christ said that not even the gates of hell would prevail against the church. So while COVID-19 may change the way we do church, it doesn’t stand a chance against us! God has promised to be faithful to us!

I love you, Crosswalk family, and I’m praying for you.
 
May God’s peace be with you,
Pastor Greg