Coronavirus update

News Regarding Coronavirus and Our Congregation:

As a church community, we pray for all persons, communities, states, and nations impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19.

With active cases now being confirmed in Oakland County, we affirm our commitment to be in ministry together during this time when people feel an increased need for God’s comfort and presence in their lives. We are also committed to the care of those who are most vulnerable in our midst. With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommending that persons avoid large gatherings as much as possible and Governor Whitmer recommending we avoid crowds of 100 or more, we are committed to helping you to connect with us while remaining at home. Everything we are doing is out of an abundance of care for our most vulnerable and in the hopes that if we each do our part, we can help contain this virus. Social distancing is what is being recommended so we are following those recommendations.

• Worship:
  We are suspending our worship services for the next 2 Sundays: March 15^th and March 22^nd. We are currently working on several ways that you will be able to connect with us online for devotional and worship type opportunities. While we will not be live-streaming our worship service, we will be offering you several devotional options throughout the next 2 weeks via online methods. Our goal is to provide you with various spiritual resources during this difficult and disruptive time. We will be monitoring the situation, and will be communicating with you regarding worship plan after March 22^nd.
• Crossroads Soup Kitchen:
  Crossroads Soup Kitchen is still counting on us to provide lunch on Sunday. If you signed up to help, we still need you. However, if you have any symptoms of illness or you are in the at-risk population for Covid-19, we ask that you care for yourself and others and choose to stay home. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Beth Titus at 586-665-4333
• Tuesday Night at the Park and other church activities will also be suspended for the next 2 weeks. This includes music rehearsals. We are working with the many community groups who use our building to share with them what we are doing and encourage them to also consider doing their part to help keep everyone safe and healthy.
• Prayer:
  During this season of Lent, we invite you to be in prayer. And we are developing some specific ways that you will be able to connect with us for regular prayer times through technology. We will be communicating this with you as soon as we have the information of those times and the connections.
• Small Group Meetings and Classes:
  Through Zoom Conference, we have the capacity to host virtual meetings and small groups. We are reaching out to the leaders of our groups and committees with information on how they can utilize phone and video conferencing. Communications regarding the status of meetings for various groups and committees will come from the office or group leaders.
• Caring for one another and our community.
  This is the time to help one another and do good and show love to one another and to our community. Let us know if you need help or you can offer help to others. We are all in this together and together we will get through it.
• Give:
  Your giving helps us to maintain ministry during this time of disruption. We give thanks to God for your commitment to generous living. Gifts may be mailed to church; online giving is also a great option. You can set up recurring gifts or one-time gifts at Nardinpark.org 
• Invite:
  Share this communication and the above resources with family, friends, and neighbors!

This is a fluid situation. We will continue to share information with you through email as well as posting information to social media sites. 

We remain committed to providing care for one another through means that are most appropriate for this moment. Please contact our church office at 248-476-8860 or email Linda.npchurch@gmail.com   or email me directly at Melanie.npchurch@gmail.com as you or those you love have need of caring ministries support; the office voicemail and email are monitored and messages will be routed for an appropriate response. For pastoral care emergencies, our 24-hour Pastor on Call number is 313-681-4871.

I encourage you to utilize the resources of the Oakland County Health Department for information regarding COVID-19. Here is a link to their home:
https://www.oakgov.com/health/Pages/default.aspx

Following my signature, I am copying highlights from the health departments most recently updated fact sheet.

Finally, our hope is in God and God promises to be with us and God has not failed us yet!   I trust that, with God, this time will pass, and we will get to the other side.

Faithfully,

Pastor Melanie

---

From the Oakland County Department of Public Health:

Am I at risk for COVID-19 infection?

This is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk assessment may change daily. The latest updates are available on CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website. Some people that may be at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness includes:

• Older adults
• People who have serious chronic medical conditions
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Lung disease

How can I help protect myself and others?

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The simple everyday actions you can take to help prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses can help prevent the spread of coronaviruses. These include:

• Stay home when sick.
• Washing your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough/sneeze in your upper sleeve. Immediately throw away used tissues in the trash, then wash hands.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoiding close contact, sharing cups, or sharing eating utensils.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
• Be prepared with the following supplies:
  • Maintain a two-week supply of water and food at home
  • Routinely check your regular prescription drugs to ensure that you won’t run out
  • Keep non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand
  • Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health record

-Talk with family members about how they would be cared for if they got sick and what would be needed to care for them in your home

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

People diagnosed with COVID-19 have reported mild to severe respiratory illness 2 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath