Dear Good Shepherd Family:

I told you at worship two weeks ago that we would be staying on top of the developments of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19.) The staff and leadership of our congregation has spent time in prayer and conversation about the best course of action for our community with regard to public worship in the face of efforts to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and to protect the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Fresno County Department of Health website refers us to a California Department of Health Department directive for us to postpone gathering for the rest of March. We have wrestled mightily with what to do and we have decided that the best course of action is to follow the county's recommendation and to postpone gatherings for the remainder of March. This includes public worship and our Wednesday gatherings. If you meet with a smaller group they can determine whether to meet or not individually.

We are planning at this point to resume normal gatherings in April. This is part of a strategy called "Social Distancing" which is a data driven approach to slow the spread of the disease and protect the most vulnerable.

This decision is based upon love, not fear. It is based upon the clear biblical mandate to protect and honor the most fragile in our midst (See 1 Corinthians 13). It is a way for us to model love to our community as we Share the Love of Jesus. Please be assured that the ministry of our congregation continues in all of its other facets. If you need pastoral support or want someone to pray with give me a call and we can meet. Plans are being made for all aspects of our life in the weeks ahead. We will also e-mail an individual devotional for you to use each week for your private worship at home. In that sense there will remain unity in our worship. We hope, pray, and encourage that your support of the ministry will remain strong as well.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Ted