Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin announced on Jan. 5 that the Conference staff will pause travel to in-person meetings and worship events until February 14, 2022.
"We will still gather with you virtually, but to put the best interest of all first, we are discerning it is not advisable in relation to science, safety, and our faith for staff to gather in-person at this time," Rev. Goodwin said.
Rev. Goodwin also announced that Super Saturday, planned for March 19, and the June Annual Meeting will be moved online, using a new virtual platform. Rev. Goodwin's In-Person installation service, which had been scheduled to take place at Old South Church in Boston in April, has been cancelled.
Regarding Annual Meeting, Rev. Goodwin said: "We surveyed hundreds of past delegates and received a compelling response to host our gathering virtually. We heard your heart and concern."
"This is a difficult time for hard but necessary decision making and each of us is doing the best we can, with the knowledge that is available to us all," he said. "In a reality where stores are being sold out of in-home COVID tests and folks are waiting beyond a reasonable amount of time to find or even get the results of a PCR test, we are invited to make faithful choices for the safety of all. We must continue to have grace with and for one another, know that trouble won't last always and though weeping may endure for a night, morning is yet on the horizon."
See Rev. Goodwin's message, below:
"We will still gather with you virtually, but to put the best interest of all first, we are discerning it is not advisable in relation to science, safety, and our faith for staff to gather in-person at this time," Rev. Goodwin said.
Rev. Goodwin also announced that Super Saturday, planned for March 19, and the June Annual Meeting will be moved online, using a new virtual platform. Rev. Goodwin's In-Person installation service, which had been scheduled to take place at Old South Church in Boston in April, has been cancelled.
Regarding Annual Meeting, Rev. Goodwin said: "We surveyed hundreds of past delegates and received a compelling response to host our gathering virtually. We heard your heart and concern."
"This is a difficult time for hard but necessary decision making and each of us is doing the best we can, with the knowledge that is available to us all," he said. "In a reality where stores are being sold out of in-home COVID tests and folks are waiting beyond a reasonable amount of time to find or even get the results of a PCR test, we are invited to make faithful choices for the safety of all. We must continue to have grace with and for one another, know that trouble won't last always and though weeping may endure for a night, morning is yet on the horizon."
See Rev. Goodwin's message, below: