March 18 Coronavirus Update

Dear South Church Family,

I want to give you a few updates:

1.) South Church had its first ever virtual worship service on Sunday, March 15th and it went surprisingly well! If you missed it you can watch it here: www.facebook.com/SouthPresDobbsFerry/videos/ 

You can see the readings, etc. here: www.facebook.com/notes/south-presbyterian-church/

It’s wonderful, amid all that we are grieving and fearing, to be reminded that desperate times can birth new ways of being in community. It was so immensely encouraging to be ‘together’ with old friends who’ve moved away and new friends we’ve not yet met as we shared prayer and ritual and song and found our connection to God and one another strong as ever. Profound thanks to the 50+ who participated and especially to Anne Day who’s gentle presence, lovely voice and healer’s gift gave peace to many of us, I know. By next Sunday the sound quality should be a bit better! Hope you can join us next Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00 AM via Facebook live.

We will continue this way until further notice. With sources predicting that Covid-19 will peak in 45 days from now, it doesn’t look as though we will be able to gather as usual for Easter Sunday. We may however explore smaller gatherings with proper physical distancing – if we feel this can be safely done. As one colleague wrote, “Whenever we gather together again, that day will be Easter.” So let us look to that day with hopeful anticipation and pull out all the stops when it comes!

2.) Responding to the most recent guidance, we have decided to close Community Nursery School at least until April 14th.

3.) For the most part, church groups and space-using partners have now cancelled, postponed or move their events to electronic platforms. Within the next few days we will shut down our building – giving access only to those with keys – so that full sanitization and several other projects can be completed. The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry will continue to operate with enhanced precautions.

4.) Two ideas:

a.) Scientist Barbara Holmes has said that the vibrational field of the human heart stretches out 10 feet. That’s four feet more than what “social distancing” requires. Many have pointed out that while we do need to physically distance ourselves from another another – we need social cohesion more than ever. Later this week I hope to set out a “Six-Foot Social Solidarity Station” – a platform with several chairs where people can come and safely and carefully get their human connection fix. Have a conversation with a stranger, meet a friend, sit in silence with a loved one – whatever! Thanks to those who have donated chairs, plywood and nails!

b.) Someone called Margaret B. Adam created cards like the one below and started putting them in mail slots in her neighborhood. Wouldn’t this be wonderful to do for our neighbors?

5.) I am going to convene a Zoom meeting every Monday at noon for our Corona Response Task Force and all those wishing to part of our discussion. To participate in these meetings you must sign up for a free Zoom account at https://zoom.us/ and download the app.

You can join that meeting at https://zoom.us/j/5639465431

The Meeting ID is as follows: 563 946 5431

You can also call into that meeting by telephone at: +1 929 205 6099

As mentioned previously, Clerk of Session Mark Pennington (914-420-1455) and I (716-799-2363) will serve as point persons for this task force for the time being.

Session will continue to meeting weekly on Fridays at noon (except this week, when we will meet at our regular meeting time on Thursday evening).

6.) Deacons have been working hard to get in touch with the people on their caring lists – but please do be proactive. If you are aware of specific needs in our community – please let the deacons know and don’t hesitate to reach out yourself. If you yourself have needs that we can help meet – even if you’re just feeling lonely and need someone to talk to – please do reach out to me or to your deacon.

I hope in the days ahead to give you some more resources to help guide your lenten spiritual journey. In the meantime please know that I continue to hold you all in prayer.

Peace,

Drew Paton