Dear Friends in Christ,

Let me say first that we trust in God and we know that God is always with us. So, we do not respond in fear, but we want to always seek the Lord and be wise in our actions. Our church leaders and staff are closely monitoring the public health recommendations related to COVID-19 and are considering the advisement of how best to contain exposure and spread of this virus. We want to make sensible informed decisions of how best to support our church members, as well as our community.

We were notified this morning that Bishop Mike McKee has requested that all of the United Methodist churches in the Dallas area forego public worship services for the next two Sundays, March 15 and 22. Per the Bishop’s letter:

We are learning that the most effective way to slow the spread of the coronavirus in our communities is to practice “social distancing” – minimizing exposure to infected individuals by avoiding large public gatherings and maintaining 6 feet of space from others. Practicing social distancing can be a way for us to prevent further infections and literally save human lives.

With this in mind, we will not be meeting in person at Cedar Hill First United Methodist Church for the next two weeks for worship services and other events. We are, however, looking for additional ways that we can remain connected as a church and to share our worship and faith via the internet and other means. We will be sending out additional information as it is available.

In the meantime, even if we are not meeting together as a large group to glorify God, we still need to make sure that we take time to meet one-on-one with the Lord. This is a great time, especially during this Lenten season, to find new and meaningful ways to have individual time with God, or precious family time of worship, or discovering other ways to “be the church” by still reaching out to others with a caring phone call or text or email. Stay connected and share where you have seen God and where you need God. Enjoy precious time in the Bible and in prayer. Make this a time of growing closer to the Lord.

Please know that I am circling all of you in my prayers. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all forever and ever. Amen.

Love,
Keva