Communication from September 2nd, 2021
Dear Valley Covenant Family,
We sent an email a couple of weeks ago recommending that everyone wear a mask while inside of the church building, regardless of vaccination status. This request was inline with the Ogle County Health Department recommendation.
Sadly, as we’re sure you are all aware, the situation has not improved, and a statewide mask mandate for Illinois went into effect on Monday (8/30). This mandate states that all residents 2 years and older are required to wear a mask in indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, it has become clear that our community is seeing more transmission of COVID-19 and serious cases than we have seen at any point so far.
As we stated a couple of weeks ago, this is clearly frustrating and disappointing for all of us as we long to just be normal again. But at the same time we care deeply for the health and safety of our congregation and those in our care.
Therefore, consistent with our decisions throughout the past 18 months to follow the recommendations of our local and state Health Departments, we are asking everyone to honor the current mask mandate and wear a mask inside our church building, regardless of vaccination status. We will not be policing this, but rather asking that everyone honor the current mask mandate. If you are not feeling well, have underlying health concerns, or are unable to wear a mask, please consider staying home and joining us through online options temporarily until this situation improves.
Given the current circumstances, this is not a new decision but rather a continuation. It also presents an opportunity to live deeper into our Relational Covenant which reads “we are willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of becoming the church God desires”, which demonstrates our desire to choose love for neighbor and respect for our local officials.
And as Pastor Chuck encouraged a few weeks ago, may we listen to Paul’s words in Colossians 3:12-14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
God Bless You,
Valley Covenant Leadership Council