The following is a message from Bridge Conference Ministers the Rev. Don Remick and the Rev. Marilyn Kendrix:

In the past two weeks we have begun to see record numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19.  People crossing the borders between the states within our Conference are now being asked to quarantine when they return home. The number of towns and cities that have gone into the ‘red zone’ where the incidence and spread of Covid is dangerously high. Just this past week the governor of Rhode Island appealed to churches to refrain from in person in building worship citing these events as recognized sources of the spread of the virus.  The governor of Massachusetts is instituting a curfew.  Many locales within our area are phasing back to more restrictive requirements.  Today in Massachusetts there was a new order for Massachusetts as the rate of Covid infections rises.  It limits indoor gatherings to no more than 10 people.  The same is true for Rhode Island and is wise advice throughout our region.  

As a result we have determined that our Conference offices will remain closed until at least March 1, and likely longer if these trends don’t change. 

And we are asking our local churches to review their plans and adapt to these new trends and requirements regarding gathering in person and in a building. We know that the most frequent comment on our recent church survey was exhaustion. And we know that significant seasonal events in the life of our church are coming up. Still we urge you to refrain from in-person in-building worship if the incidence of Covid is high or growing in your area. Our Conference has provided some guidance for churches that recognize that trends may change and provide insight for how to make choices.  You can find these phasing forward resources here.

We also want to share with you a great document from our sibling Conference, the Missouri Mid South Conference.  These include some very helpful guidance in the event that your pastor, or other staff, become ill or test positive from Covid.  It will be helpful for you to review these and you can find them here.

This is such a challenging wearying time.  Please be good to yourselves.  Pace your lives with intentional times to rest and be with God.  Look out for each other.  Receive and offer grace. 

God bless you. 
 
Marilyn and Don