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| Folders for Super Saturday attendees were ready to go before today's cancellation. |
Due to concern over the spread of the coronavirus, Super Saturday on March 14 has been cancelled.
The Superintendent of Schools in Wilbraham, MA, strongly encouraged the Conference to cancel the event. In this heightened time of uncertainty around the spread of coronavirus, he said he was concerned for the health and safety of the Conference's attendees, as well as for the 1200 students who attend school in the building.
This would have been the 20th Super Saturday; it is the first time in its 10-year history that the all-day event been cancelled. With 660 people registered, it was on track to be the second largest Super Saturday ever. Many of the 48 workshops were filled to capacity, and 35 vendors had reserved tables. A record number of people from other denominations and Conferences - including 60 from the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts - had planned to attend.
“These are extraordinary times as we deal with a global pandemic. And as hard as it is to step away from the learnings, fellowship and impact of Super Saturday, this is the right thing to do at this time,” said Bridge Conference Minister Don Remick. “We are grateful for the hard work, devotion and flexibility of our staff who continue to adapt to all the changes. With particular thanks to Andrea Bellarosa, Aretha Wright and Ellie Richardson who have been adapting hourly for the last couple weeks.”
Those who had registered to attend will be offered vouchers that may be used for either the next Super Saturday, on October 24th in Framingham, MA, or the March 2021, Super Saturday.
Those who had been planning to present workshops or who had registered for the marketplace are encouraged to submit proposals or make reservations for the October Super Saturday.
Workshop Proposals can be submitted here, and marketplace tables reserved here.
Those who had purchased food items for the Youth Service project are encouraged to donate them to local food pantries. Anyone who would still like to support the intended recipient of that drive can make a monetary donation to the Community Survival Center, 240 Main St., Indian Orchard MA 01151.
The school is not charging the Conference the rental fee for the venue, but many other expenses had already been incurred. The caterer had ordered food, which will be donated to the local Salvation Army's meal program.
Conference staff had put in countless hours of work organizing the event and preparing folders, name tags and other materials.
The Superintendent of Schools in Wilbraham, MA, strongly encouraged the Conference to cancel the event. In this heightened time of uncertainty around the spread of coronavirus, he said he was concerned for the health and safety of the Conference's attendees, as well as for the 1200 students who attend school in the building.
This would have been the 20th Super Saturday; it is the first time in its 10-year history that the all-day event been cancelled. With 660 people registered, it was on track to be the second largest Super Saturday ever. Many of the 48 workshops were filled to capacity, and 35 vendors had reserved tables. A record number of people from other denominations and Conferences - including 60 from the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts - had planned to attend.
“These are extraordinary times as we deal with a global pandemic. And as hard as it is to step away from the learnings, fellowship and impact of Super Saturday, this is the right thing to do at this time,” said Bridge Conference Minister Don Remick. “We are grateful for the hard work, devotion and flexibility of our staff who continue to adapt to all the changes. With particular thanks to Andrea Bellarosa, Aretha Wright and Ellie Richardson who have been adapting hourly for the last couple weeks.”
Those who had registered to attend will be offered vouchers that may be used for either the next Super Saturday, on October 24th in Framingham, MA, or the March 2021, Super Saturday.
Those who had been planning to present workshops or who had registered for the marketplace are encouraged to submit proposals or make reservations for the October Super Saturday.
Workshop Proposals can be submitted here, and marketplace tables reserved here.
Those who had purchased food items for the Youth Service project are encouraged to donate them to local food pantries. Anyone who would still like to support the intended recipient of that drive can make a monetary donation to the Community Survival Center, 240 Main St., Indian Orchard MA 01151.
The school is not charging the Conference the rental fee for the venue, but many other expenses had already been incurred. The caterer had ordered food, which will be donated to the local Salvation Army's meal program.
Conference staff had put in countless hours of work organizing the event and preparing folders, name tags and other materials.
Author
Tiffany Vail
Tiffany Vail is the Director of Media & Communications for the Southern New England Conference.