Letter From Pastor Seth

Dear Greenmonte Family,

I miss you all and trust that you are well. As our state continues to reopen in conjunction with Phase One, I wanted to let you know of our plans to reopen worship at Greenmonte and what you can expect. As your pastor, I want to encourage you to make the best decision for you and your family. If you find yourself in one of the ‘at risk’ categories, I encourage you to stay at home and worship with us online until you feel comfortable coming back for corporate worship.  

We will be worshiping online exclusively for this Sunday, May 24th. On May 31st, we will be worshiping in person outdoors at the Langellottis’ home as well as online. Then on Sunday, June 7th, we will worship in person at Greenmonte as well as online.  

Moving forward, there are two great ways for you to be a part of worship on Sunday mornings: online or in person.

Online Worship Services
Once again, we encourage everyone who needs the safety of home to worship with us online. We will broadcast online on Sunday mornings on greenmonte.online.church and on Facebook and YouTube. We encourage those who are of advanced age, or who have a chronic disease or weakened immune system, to stay at home at this time. Likewise, if you share a household with someone with a weak immune system, we encourage you to use our online ministry. If you or someone in your household is exhibiting flu-like symptoms, we ask that you refrain from coming to the in-person service and utilize our online ministry.

In-Person Worship Services
If you choose to worship with us in person, while you are with us we encourage you to:

• Keep at least 6 feet away from people outside of your household. When we are in the sanctuary at Greenmonte, spacing will be marked out carefully. Three seats should separate households along each row. Alternate rows will be used for spacing as well.
• Social Distancing causes us to limit attendance to 50% capacity in our sanctuary (but not outdoors).
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Don’t touch surfaces in public areas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Greenmonte Fellowship Is Committed To Taking Extra Precautions To Keep You Safe By:

• Continuing our routine cleaning and disinfection procedures.
• Providing hand sanitizers in multiple locations. Soap and water will continue to be available at all hand washing sinks in the restrooms.
• Extra training for staff and volunteers about the importance of social distancing, hand hygiene, and cough/sneeze etiquette.
• Propping doors so you do not have to touch the door handles.
• No “Meet and Greet Time” during the service.
• No coffee service for now.
• Face masks are welcome but not required.  
• Face masks will be available upon request.

As It Pertains To Kids Church, Nursery And Families:
For now, we invite families to stay together on Sunday mornings. Parents are encouraged to sit with their children in the sanctuary. We will not have Kids’ Church or Nursery, however the nursing mothers' room will be available as will the hallway and library for caregivers who need to keep their kids in a more open space with room to move.

If you have any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Please send any/all communication to greenmontefc@gmail.com.

The Story Continues Through The Summer
On a different note, I’m excited to share that we’ll be continuing with The Story throughout the summer, ending on September 6th with the book of Revelation. You can find the updated reading list on our website and our app.

My Sabbatical Postponed
With all that’s happening right now, the elders and I felt it was best to postpone my sabbatical. We’ll let you know of any changes as they occur.  

And speaking of change, wise is the person who doesn’t run from or resist change but who embraces it and seeks God in the midst of it. Change is, after all, the one constant and predictable thing in our world. In the midst of all the changes that you and I are experiencing in our lives at this time -- wearing masks, social distancing, staying at home and worshiping online -- let’s hold fast to the One who never changes and who is with us in it all!

I love you and I’m praying for you. I look forward to connecting with you soon, whether in person or online.  

Blessings!

Seth