Verse/Passage of the Day –

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ACTS Team In-Person Worship Update – In our last update to the congregation, (See the Link to the August Letter below), the ACTS (Advent Coronavirus Team of Safety) group was cautiously optimistic for planning to meet in-person. At that point, trends were moving downward, and we wanted to see that continue. The major trends the committee tracts (number of daily cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and percentage of people testing positive) are on a significant upward climb since September. Also, contact tracing has not been very successful. While North Carolina has advanced to Phase 3, the number of cases, hospitalizations, deaths and percentage of positive tests are the highest since the public became aware of CoVid-19 in March, 2020. These numbers are continuing to trend upward. The majority of deaths from the virus happen to people 60 or older who have an underlying health condition.

North Carolina announced that religious gatherings were one of 3 leading causes of CoVid-19 cases (1040+) so far this year. Since a large portion of Advent members and friends are in the high-risk category, the ACTS group has been conscious to develop an environment where the virus is less likely to be transmitted. We have worked through the procedures necessary to have an in-person worship service when trends head in the right direction.

In the interim, Pastor Scott, the Elders (present and past), and the Worship Committee are exploring safe procedures for us to offer communion and programs to reach out to our congregation. Pastor will continue to provide on-line worship service and will begin to record some additional YouTube videos on a variety of CoVid-19 issues such as fatigue, stages of grief, faith, and God’s relation with us during this pandemic. For more information, click here for the August Letter from the ACTS group.

Caring for Those in Need During CoVid-19 – Needs are increasing during this time. Therefore, we continue to reach out with PORCH (People Offering Relief for Chapel Hill-Carrboro Homes), Inter-Faith Council and Orange Congregations in Mission.
PORCH Website
IFC Website – IFC has updated their grocery list.
Downloadable Grocery List – IFC
OCIM Website
Let’s keep caring for our community in the Lord’s name.