Parkview Re-Entry Update for COVID-19
Good Afternoon Parkview – Happy Friday!
This morning I read a familiar and meaningful passage of scripture. I think it is perfect for the season we are in right now. Psalm 27:4-5 is a beautiful reminder of God’s willing proximity to my circumstances AND the protection His proximity provides. I hope, today, this passage gives you the same direction and comfort it did for me.
One thing I ask from the Lord; this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
When we decided eight weeks ago to move our services online, I don’t think any of us imagined we would still be unable to meet in person here in May. Attached is a video Ray and I shot this week to address our current thinking related to when and how we might be able to meet in person again. Believe me; we are ALL looking forward to that day!
It is important to remember: Parkview has never closed! We are very much still open. We continue to communicate the gospel. We continue to meet the needs of people. We continue to impact lives, and continue to hear stories of transformation. I have seen Parkview come alive during this season in ways I couldn’t have imagined eight weeks ago.
As we look to the future, please know we are closely monitoring guidance from the Governor’s Office, IDPH, and CDC. What matters most right now is patience and flexibility. We are in a fluid situation, and our decision-making process must also be fluid.
Based on the governor’s plan, we are months, not weeks, away from meeting in person as we did before COVID. This reality is heartbreaking to me, and surely disappointing to you as well. However, I am believing, hoping, and praying circumstances will change, but for now, this is what we know and is the basis for our planning.
We will return to meeting in person the moment it is safe to do so for even the most vulnerable in our community. In other words, we will return when it is safe for our kids, the elderly, and the immune-compromised.
What does this mean? Well, it means as a church, we need to be preparing and innovating at the same time! The staff team is working hard to prepare the facility for your return and, at the same time, innovating new ways to meet as the Church in a virtual environment.
Preparation: We have formed a ReEntry Team of staff and experts from within our congregation to focus on the steps necessary to safely return to the church facility. Moving forward we will update you on any changes made to the facility.
Innovation: We are innovating ways to bring all aspects of our mission and vision to virtual platforms. We are developing new groups focused on discipleship by providing virtual environments to aid in your spiritual growth. Later this month, we are hosting a Marriage Night designed to help couples navigate the unique impact this season can have on a marriage. Our Care and Recovery ministry has added (and will continue to add) video content to our website from counselors addressing issues like anxiety and loss.
As we have always said, the church is NOT a building. We will continue to BE the church no matter where we meet!
One of the ways we are doing just that is through a new initiative launched this week. We have partnered with our friends at Blackberry Market to provide lunches to the 133 homeless folks sheltered in area hotels. We are using the Parkview Relief Fund to offset the costs while also leveraging some of our volunteers to deliver the lunches. Thank you for being such a generous church and for supporting those with the greatest needs in our community!
The last thing, I look forward to seeing you (from a distance) in your Team World Vision orange this weekend as we participate in the Global 6K. Take lots of pictures and send them to us! We’ll see you at our Parkview Pep Rally tomorrow at 9am HERE.
Have a nice weekend.
Dave
