Latest Update from Pastor Johnny
Updated May 20, 2021
As most of you are aware, the CDC has recently updated their guidelines and recommendations regarding slowing the spread of COVID–19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our church has said that we will follow the recommendations of the CDC and local health authorities. According to the CDC, it seems there is reliable evidence that the vaccines work to drastically reduce rates of infection and transmission. So in response to these updated recommendations, we are going to make one major change to our regathering guidelines at Hutto Discovery:
Effective immediately, fully vaccinated individuals will have the option to remove their mask while seated in a section of the Sanctuary designated as “mask optional.”
This means that beginning this Sunday, everyone will be required to wear a mask upon entry, exit, and when moving about the Sanctuary (if you’ve been to a restaurant during the pandemic, then you are familiar with this!). You will notice sections in the Sanctuary designated as “mask required” and “mask optional.” If you are seated in the “mask required” section, then you will be required to wear mask regardless of vaccination status. If you are seated in the “mask optional” section, you will have the option to remove your mask while seated ONLY if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, you may sit in the “mask optional” section, but must remain masked at all times.
Masks will continue to be required in the Discovery Center while children’s programming is going on. Our children are not currently eligible for the vaccine, so anyone age 5 and older will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
We will be operating on the honor system which means we will not be checking or verifying vaccination status upon entry to the Sanctuary. BUT, that also means that we all must be honorable. Our children, some of whom join us for worship in the Sanctuary, are not yet eligible for the vaccine which means they are still susceptible to the virus. Additionally, there are others in our congregation who have received the vaccination and yet remain at risk due to health concerns. We cannot make selfish choices that endanger those for whom we are called to care. Remember the Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
(Philippians 2:1–4)
I know that this past year has been difficult in so many ways for so many of us both in our church and in the community. I also know that while some of you are receiving this news with great joy, others of you are disappointed. Some of you may think this is the appropriate course of action, while others may think this is still too restrictive or even too risky. I wish there was a perfect solution. But, in this season of uncertainty and change, we can still choose to be gracious toward one another — it is needed now more than ever.
I am truly proud to be your pastor, and I am grateful for your continued prayers and support as our programs and gatherings continue to adapt and evolve over the next few months in response to the new discoveries and recommendations provided by the CDC and local health authorities. We will continue to keep our website updated with all of the latest news and updates on our regathering guidelines. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me by email.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Johnny
As most of you are aware, the CDC has recently updated their guidelines and recommendations regarding slowing the spread of COVID–19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our church has said that we will follow the recommendations of the CDC and local health authorities. According to the CDC, it seems there is reliable evidence that the vaccines work to drastically reduce rates of infection and transmission. So in response to these updated recommendations, we are going to make one major change to our regathering guidelines at Hutto Discovery:
Effective immediately, fully vaccinated individuals will have the option to remove their mask while seated in a section of the Sanctuary designated as “mask optional.”
This means that beginning this Sunday, everyone will be required to wear a mask upon entry, exit, and when moving about the Sanctuary (if you’ve been to a restaurant during the pandemic, then you are familiar with this!). You will notice sections in the Sanctuary designated as “mask required” and “mask optional.” If you are seated in the “mask required” section, then you will be required to wear mask regardless of vaccination status. If you are seated in the “mask optional” section, you will have the option to remove your mask while seated ONLY if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, you may sit in the “mask optional” section, but must remain masked at all times.
Masks will continue to be required in the Discovery Center while children’s programming is going on. Our children are not currently eligible for the vaccine, so anyone age 5 and older will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
We will be operating on the honor system which means we will not be checking or verifying vaccination status upon entry to the Sanctuary. BUT, that also means that we all must be honorable. Our children, some of whom join us for worship in the Sanctuary, are not yet eligible for the vaccine which means they are still susceptible to the virus. Additionally, there are others in our congregation who have received the vaccination and yet remain at risk due to health concerns. We cannot make selfish choices that endanger those for whom we are called to care. Remember the Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
(Philippians 2:1–4)
I know that this past year has been difficult in so many ways for so many of us both in our church and in the community. I also know that while some of you are receiving this news with great joy, others of you are disappointed. Some of you may think this is the appropriate course of action, while others may think this is still too restrictive or even too risky. I wish there was a perfect solution. But, in this season of uncertainty and change, we can still choose to be gracious toward one another — it is needed now more than ever.
I am truly proud to be your pastor, and I am grateful for your continued prayers and support as our programs and gatherings continue to adapt and evolve over the next few months in response to the new discoveries and recommendations provided by the CDC and local health authorities. We will continue to keep our website updated with all of the latest news and updates on our regathering guidelines. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me by email.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Johnny
