/fairfaxs-website/image-f878f-i65ab.png "Fairfax Presbyterian Church")
Dear FPC Members and Friends,
Thank you for the faith and courage you are showing in this coronavirus pandemic. We hope that you have remained well, and that you have the supplies you need. As of today, we have been online-only as a congregation for two full months.
We are anxious to gather for worship in the Sanctuary once again, but we do not want to come back together in a way that endangers the health and well-being of the congregation and community. Because of the danger of the coronavirus, we have to make safety our top concern. We will not gather until local infection numbers fall for two or three weeks, and then we will announce the change on our church website, https://fairfaxpresbyterian.org/
Until then, we will continue to offer audio and video online worship, and we will maintain our two-service schedule with worship at 8:45 am and 11:15 am every Sunday (not switching to a single 9:30 am service on Memorial Day Weekend, as is our custom). We are maintaining this schedule because we believe that it will prepare us best for a return to in-person worship. Any gathering for worship over the next year will have to be socially-distanced, and two services will help us to accomplish this goal.
So, what will worship look and feel like when we do gather again? Sadly, it will be different, and we may feel grief over the changes. The Worship Ministry is working on developing a plan for services, but changes will probably include:
1. Less singing. Since singing is one of the ways that the virus is transmitted, our music will be affected.
2. Masks. To prevent infecting our neighbors, masks will be worn in worship.
3. No shaking of hands or hugging. We will have to greet one another and pass the peace without making physical contact.
4. Social distancing. We will mark the pews in such a way that everyone can gather safely as individuals or in family groups.
5. Live-stream video worship. Many vulnerable members will want to stay home and watch the services on their computers, so we are working to develop live-stream capabilities. Currently, our services are recorded in advance, but we will want the gathering of our congregation to be broadcast live.
Other plans are being made by the Worship Ministry and session, and we will announce them well in advance of our first gathering, which will be mid-June at the earliest. Until then, please continue to worship every Sunday morning at 8:45 am or 11:15 am at https://www.fairfaxpresbyterian.org/fpc/sermons
In spite of the challenges presented by the coronavirus, God is at work in our congregation in powerful ways. Members are connecting with one another, Christian Formation is happening online, and our community is being served through Hot Meals and our Little Free Pantries.
In addition, we want to invite everyone to get out of their house on Saturday, May 30, and drive to the church parking for a parade! The event will not require you to leave your car. So what is it all about?
Youth Director Tempest Brevard writes: Join us on May 30 at 3:00 pm for a CELEBRATORY PARADE for our graduating high school and college seniors. Come offer your support for our grads, in a socially distanced way but with big FPC spirit! Please begin lining up at 2:50 pm on Presbyterian Way; the parade will begin at 3 pm; drive up the circle toward the front of the church; honking, cheering, with signs, or noise makers all for our graduates. As you reach the larger end of the parking lot you can choose to exit by the first row, or choose the second row which will have a table setup for you to drop off a card, balloons, or a gift for a graduating senior.
We also want to share with you the results of the congregational survey prepared by outreach coordinator Susan Wisseman. The results were very encouraging, and show the vitality of our congregation at this difficult time.
In what ways are you engaging the FPC community?
Do you support FPC through financial giving?
Are you able to worship online?
Have you used the Little Free pantries?
The survey clearly reveals that FPC members are active in worship, staying connected through activities, supporting the church financially, and providing food to our hungry neighbors. Until we meet face-to-face, keep up the good work and may God bless and keep you!
Please be in touch if we can assist you in any way: henry@fairfaxpresby.com or yena@fairfaxpresby.com.
In hope, health and peace,
Henry G. Brinton & Yena Hwang