April 2021
Hallelujah! He is risen!
I am writing this on the Friday before Palm Sunday. We look ahead to Holy Week, to a renewal of spirit and hope. I trust you and your families will take the time to celebrate Easter and reflect on all it means to us today.
We are looking ahead to the day when we can resume worship in our building. To that end, we have a survey under way to ascertain the Congregation’s views on this. If you have not completed it yet, please take a moment to do so (it’s very short). You can find the survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F72JN5Q The results will be shared with all of you.
In addition to the survey, the Reopening Task Team and Executive Council have been working on the procedures we will follow when we do return to in-person worship. We will proceed cautiously. Initially masks will be required, we will not have the Choir or singing, seating will be spaced out, and there will be no coffee hour. As the pandemic in our area recedes we return to our normal worship routine. We post a summary dashboard on the Church website of the pandemic status, you can find it under “Members’ Corner / Covid-19 Info”.
Through all this, the work of the Church continues. Rev. Biedron continues her virtual Sunday worship and Wednesday inspiration series. We continue to support charities such as Crossroads and other benevolences. Our Mission Boards continue to meet and do God’s work.
Executive Council Notes
Executive Council met on March 22 and considered the following:
Hallelujah! He is risen! Rejoice!
“But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ (Matthew 28:5-7)
Kevin Gromley
Hallelujah! He is risen!
I am writing this on the Friday before Palm Sunday. We look ahead to Holy Week, to a renewal of spirit and hope. I trust you and your families will take the time to celebrate Easter and reflect on all it means to us today.
We are looking ahead to the day when we can resume worship in our building. To that end, we have a survey under way to ascertain the Congregation’s views on this. If you have not completed it yet, please take a moment to do so (it’s very short). You can find the survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F72JN5Q The results will be shared with all of you.
In addition to the survey, the Reopening Task Team and Executive Council have been working on the procedures we will follow when we do return to in-person worship. We will proceed cautiously. Initially masks will be required, we will not have the Choir or singing, seating will be spaced out, and there will be no coffee hour. As the pandemic in our area recedes we return to our normal worship routine. We post a summary dashboard on the Church website of the pandemic status, you can find it under “Members’ Corner / Covid-19 Info”.
Through all this, the work of the Church continues. Rev. Biedron continues her virtual Sunday worship and Wednesday inspiration series. We continue to support charities such as Crossroads and other benevolences. Our Mission Boards continue to meet and do God’s work.
Executive Council Notes
Executive Council met on March 22 and considered the following:
- Assets & Resources: This Board is reviewing possible investments in our building HVAC systems, against our return. The Board approved contracts for spring landscaping and yard work.
- Diaconate: The Diaconate reported preparations for our March 27 pre-Palm Sunday parking lot event.
- Education: Our Education Board continues to gain experience with the new Sunday School curriculum materials we recently obtained; the results thus far have been positive. The Education Board also reported that they are preparing craft packets and an Easter egg hunt for our parking March 27 lot event.
- Fellowship: The Fellowship Board held a virtual trivia event that was fun and successful. They are working on developing a Movie Club, analogous to our book club. They are also planning other virtual social events (such as a euchre tournament). If you have suggestions for social events, please let them know! This Board also reported the preparations they are making for our March 27 parking lot event.
- Missions: Our Missions Board organized North Church participation in Crossroads (downtown Detroit) on March 14. Looking ahead, the Board is working on providing hand-out kits for women who are Crossroads clients.
- Worship: The Worship Board reported their work on preparations for our March 27 parking lot event and for Holy Week.
- Treasurer: North Church has been approved for a second PPP loan from the Federal government. We have received the $45,000 loan; like the first such loan, we expect this to be forgiven at some point.
- New Business:
- As noted earlier, our 2021 Program Meeting will be June 27. It is normally in May, but since it was delayed to September last year this gives the current Board members a bit more time in office. Looking ahead to this meeting, Council launched a Nominating subcommittee to recommend candidates for open Board positions. If you are interested in serving on one of our Ministry Boards, please let the Board Chair know.
Hallelujah! He is risen! Rejoice!
“But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ (Matthew 28:5-7)
Kevin Gromley