covid-19 in our congregation

Friends, many of you have heard through the prayer chain that one of our members at Emsworth UP has been confirmed to have COVID-19. Due to other health concerns and risk factors, this member is being kept under watch in the hospital, but is doing well overall. We also have one other member who is currently undergoing quarantine at home while awaiting test results. Please join us in praying for their recovery and rest during this time.

Please know that neither of these cases cause infection concern for our congregation as a whole. It is coincidence that both have fallen ill. Neither were present at church on March 8th, the last week that we met on Sunday morning for worship. Since then, we have been worshiping online only and have had limited staff presence at either church building. Please know that none of the congregation - outside of these members' own households -  have been exposed to either of them.

I am grateful for the caring and thoughtful leadership of our elders through this time. While it was not easy to decide to cancel in person worship for as long as we've been apart, it is very apparent at this time that it was the right decision. Had we continued to meet regularly, this could indeed have been a congregation-wide health crisis. 

Please remember that it's of the utmost importance that you limit your trips outside your home to infrequent and essential trips only. It is not only for your own health that this is important, but for the health of others in the community as well. It is our loving Christian duty right now to do everything we can to protect our community from this pandemic.

Below, you will find links to safety tips to keep healthy during this time, as well as some mental health and wellbeing tips. If you ever need to talk, please feel free to call the pastoral care line at 412.219.2503 or call Pastor Charissa directly on her cell phone. If you have a medical concern or emergency, please call your doctor or 911 immediately. 

Thank you all for your love and concern for one another! You are beloved and loving and I am constantly humbled and honored to call myself your pastor. 

Blessings, 
Pastor Charissa

Safety Tips from the Red Cross

Mental Health Tips during the pandemic