To Meet or Not to Meet? That is the question!
It has become difficult to keep up with the flurry of executive orders, recommendations and requirements coming from government agencies trying their best to lead us through the current COVID-19 crisis; and equally difficult to determine which are mandated and which are recommendations only. Many Oregon churches closed their doors in response to Oregon Governor Brown’s March 17 Executive Order 20-07, which prohibited gatherings of 25 or more people. Some had already shut down out of concern for potential spread of the virus in their congregations. On March 23, Executive Order 20-12 read: “Non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals outside a home or place of residence (e.g., parties, celebrations, or other similar gatherings and events) are prohibited immediately, regardless of size, if a distance of at least six feet between individuals cannot be maintained.” (The underline is mine.) I am not an attorney, but this would seem to indicate the current keys to re-opening a church include both the size of the anticipated congregation and whether or not appropriate distance can be maintained between participants. This week, the Catholic archdiocese of Portland announced that its churches will re-open, but will keep meetings to fewer than 25, and only if they can maintain appropriate social distancing. That appears to include elements of the two executive orders I have cited. Keeping in mind the Biblical admonitions to “be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1) and “not forsaking our own assembling together” (Hebrews 10:25), your churches have a lot of decisions to make. People are crying out with the desire to meet together and worship together in-person. Yet many of you have also excelled at using 21st century communications technology to meet in a different way, and still protect against spreading the virus. As you pray for wisdom, trust that the Lord will provide it. I will be praying for you. And who knows, maybe another executive order will come out this week! Please keep in touch and let me know how your meeting plans are changing.

Pastor Dan Wentworth, Mountain Home Church

Zooming in to Mountain Home
Thanks to pastor Dan Wentworth for inviting me and Caroline to join Mountain Home Church’s Mother’s Day service via Zoom. It was a joy to see all your faces and to share in the discussion of Mary and Martha, and their different priorities in the presence of the Messiah. It gave me pause to reflect upon my own prioritization when life gets busy and choices need to be made between productivity and personal relationship.

Carver Church is Getting Ready to Fire Up!
Pastor Seth Lewis and his crew have been using the recent “down time” to make improvements on the church property. Small groups have brought down a few big trees, upgraded the landscaping and are working on adding firepits for outside meetings of their men’s group. May the Lord keep blessing that church as it grows!

Other Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, May 20th 9 AM- 10 AM “Keeping Hope Alive in Confusing Times” InFaith: NW Oregon Pastors & Church Leader’s ZOOM Conference (Instead of our monthly breakfast.) Thanks again pastor Glenn Austin for handling the technical details. Join the discussion by clicking on the link, https://zoom.us/j/96258355569 or by entering the Meeting ID: 962 5835 5569 on your Zoom screen.
Thursday, May 21st 10 AM – 11 AM InFaith Portland Pastors’ Prayer Meeting Woodland Park Chapel, Portland
All are welcome! The group is typically small enough, and the room large enough that we can meet in person and still maintain appropriate physical distance for virus precautions.

May the Lord keep you safe and steadfast in your service to Him.
Tom Hiscox, NW Oregon Area Missionary
44200 SE Connett Rd | Corbett, OR | 97019
thiscox@infaith.org