Pandemic Task Team Update: Easter Activities

3/16/2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2021

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we move closer to Holy Week, we are filled with the joy and hope of the Resurrection. It is the desire of all God’s children to worship and commemorate this sacred season in the life of the church and participate in ways and traditions we have engaged in all our lives. However, this is our second Easter in the coronavirus pandemic, and we encourage those worshiping in person and those considering worshiping in person to consult your pandemic leadership teams and worship planning teams about ways to safely participate in the following Holy Week activities:

In all activities practice social distancing, sanitize hands often and wear masks
Consider holding sunrise service outside or in the parking lot
Embrace social distancing with children during Easter egg hunts
Suspend foot washing this year for Maundy Thursday service
Do not gather for congregational meals or snacks

You can reference more detailed guidance here.

For those congregations who are not yet comfortable with in-person worship you can continue to worship in your own congregation’s online services or connect with other online worship services nearby in your district. Easter is a great time to experience online connectionalism with our neighboring United Methodist churches via Zoom, their websites, Facebook, YouTube and other social media.

When the pandemic task team gathers again after Easter we’ll be looking toward the near future and discussing summer activities such as vacation Bible school. Additionally, we’ll talk about the future of the church and the role that digital discipleship will serve in the church long after the pandemic has ended.

Praying that your soul prospers as your health prospers,

The Mississippi Conference Pandemic Task Team
                Dr. Marcus Gaut                             Dr. Bob Ford
                Dr. Steve Shirley                            Dr. Thais Walden
                Mrs. Lynette Harris                        Mrs. Sarah King
                Rev. Haywood Hannah Rev. Trey Skaggs
                Rev. Dr. Joe Ranager                    Mrs. Jamie Beatty
                Mr. Cameron Cloud

Ex-officio members:
                Bishop James E. Swanson Sr.      Rev. Vickie White
                Rev. Dayna Goff                            Rev. Fred Britton
                Miss Jasmine Haynes                   Mr. Mike Howington

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