November 13, 2020
Dear PCJH Family,
The virus has started to touch the lives of our staff and key volunteers over the last few weeks and due to the significant increase in cases in Teton County, our Session of elders met last night to prayerfully address the situation. Taking into account many considerations, we unanimously decided to pause all in-person ministry at PCJH until Monday, November 30th. We made this decision in order to be proactive in helping our congregation and local community stop the spread in hopes that we can keep things manageable as we head into the winter months.
Our Wednesday take-out dinner will continue as planned for this coming week as we have been serving over 250 meals a week, a real need in our community. Our wonderful staff will continue to do ministry virtually through all the various ways in which we are connecting with people of all ages in order to be a community, rooted in Christ, reaching out in love. Our Sunday morning livestream will continue at 10:15am, but we ask that you worship with us from home until we reopen the doors to the public in December.
We are hoping this is a short “pause” for roughly two weeks, over the Thanksgiving holiday, when things are historically slow at PCJH anyway. I liken it to “pumping the brakes” to avoid a crash. Our staff and elders will be continuing to monitor the situation and keep you informed.
The increase in cases nationwide should cause all of us to pause and consider how we might need to change the way we are going about our day-to-day lives so that we put the interests of others above our own (Philippians 2:4). I know that everyone has a different perspective and a different comfort level towards the virus, but I trust that you will choose to be responsible citizens and faithful disciples of Jesus during this time, whatever that looks like for your specific situation.
I am very proud of our PCJH leadership and congregation with our balance of courage and caution during this pandemic. While the coronavirus has certainly impacted us, it has not stopped us from our mission. We have continued to be extremely effective in reaching people with the love of Christ during this crazy time.
Thank you for your understanding and your grace and generosity throughout this pandemic. You have truly been salt and light. I am so proud of PCJH and how we have been loving and serving our Jackson Hole community during this difficult time. We are a community rooted in Christ, reaching out in love. May we see more lives being transformed in Jesus Christ! Keep it up, stay connected, and take the proper precautions. Most of all: be people of faith, hope and love!
In Christ,
-Ben