The time has come to start to reopen our Cities, Nation and...Essential Churches. Our Biblical Heritage and 1st Amendment Rights declare it!
Yes, we want to open our doors and have church. But we must do that responsibly. The last thing we want is to put people at risk, an outbreak occur and churches everywhere be shutdown by our negligence.
Our Church, the UPCI and Churches-At-Large would be shamed.
Our leaders like UPCI Gen Supt Dr Bernard, IL Dist Supt Dr Brent Coltharp and I, are making Appeals to our IL Governor, IL Gov Representatives, District Judges and Law Enforcement Officials.
Their argument repeatedly? “Church People don’t just come and go. They linger around, shake hands and hug each other. They can’t be trusted to Socially Distance themselves responsibly.”
Also, our insurance company, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance, will NOT cover any accidents or lawsuits that arise, if we are assembling outside of the IL Governor’s Stay-At-Home Orders...Against the “Law.”
In fact, Chicagoland UPC Churches have especially been hit hard during this COVID19 outbreak. Some of the worst in the nation! Five churches had over 50 cases each, several are deceased and my revered friend, Rev Eli Hernandez, died directly from complications.
So, we must Abide by our IL Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Guidelines, Pray the decline in cases shortens the reopening timetables and Act responsibly from the first service back to our last time here.
We desperately need your prayers. We are sending Letters of Appeal to our IL Governor, his Advisory Committee (IL JCAR) and our State Representatives. The meeting and decision is Wed, May 20th!
Finally, we will be taking these precautionary measures:
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A Complete Sanitation Of Our Grace Campus Beforehand.
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Any Members That Are Sick Should Stay-At-Home In Safety.
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An Infrared Non-Contact Temperature Testing Upon Entry.
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All Members Bring Their Masks (Disposable Masks Available).
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A Complimentary Sanitizer Available At Back Entry Doorway.
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A Set Of Gloves Will Be Provided By Request Upon One’s Entry.
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All Doors Will Be Propped Open Except For Restroom Facilities.
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All New Hand-towel Dispensers For Use In Key Campus Areas.
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Appropriate Spacing Adhering To The Standard Six-Foot Limit.
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Avoiding Personal Contact: Shaking Hands, Hugging Or Kissing.
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A Reasonably Timely Exit Of Facilities At The End Of Services.
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Awake, Aware And Alert Approach To Proactive Proper Hygiene.
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Then we will be able to say with Paul, “Let not then your good be evil spoken of...For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€14:16, 18-19‬ â€KJV‬‬
God’s Will Be Done,
David J Sagil, NHT Lead Pastor