Out of concern for the safety of our members and our community, we're following recommendations to avoid gathering for at least the next two weeks. There will be no in-person Sunday service tomorrow but grab a cup of coffee, create a 'blog comment account' and interact with us here beginning at 10:30 AM.
All in-person meetings, groups, rehearsals are also canceled for the next two weeks.
The Sue Kibbey Workshop scheduled for March 28 has also been postponed. We'll regularly communicate our COVID-19 plan via email during this time and post information here on our blog. Important Things to Know: Let's care for each other Experts report the best way to care for each other is social distancing, but we can care and stay in touch by using new and old school technology. If you know a member who doesn't email please give them a call and give them this update. Check-in with each other, offer to make a grocery run for those who can't or make a meal for someone who might appreciate it. Fearless Spirituality, Breakthrough Prayer Series At the start of Lent Pastor Joel asked, 'Are we a fearless church?'
God has a sense of humor, eh?
Although COVID-19 has been difficult to wrap my mind around, I think we're making decisions that are best for everyone that arise from one of our deepest core beliefs at Harmony Springs - that we are all interconnected and interdependent. Nothing makes that more clear than a virus pandemic. So, as your fearless leader, allow me to encourage us to face this head-on by making use of the positive side of social distancing - time, re-prioritizing and spiritual refueling. In our unique transitional season at Harmony Springs, we can prayerfully engage the spirit through prayer practice, reading, study, and online discussion, virtual meeting and email planning. If there is any church ready for this - it is us. Let's continue our focus on fearless spirituality. I'll be emailing and posting my reflections on practice #2 'Be Not Afraid' of Sue Nelson Kibbey's book Ultimate Reliance. tomorrow morning. Will you join me by ordering a copy of Sue's book (use smile.amazon.com and set up Harmony Springs as your non-profit to support) or respond to this email with a request for a copy and we'll get you one? Then, log into our March 15 online Sunday blog portal read over my reflection, set up an account to leave a comment and add your thoughts and reflections, and respond to others. If you had a planned part in Sunday's service (prayer, announcements, etc) post it in the comments.
Our staff are working on creative ways to use technology in the coming weeks, as long as this is necessary.
Online Giving
When church gets canceled giving goes down. Will you help us make sure that's not the case for us? If you give via offering plate on Sundays would you mail your check to us at PO Box 428 Uniontown, OH 44685, or give online.
We're going to make sure all our staff and bills get paid during this time.
Prayers for the People Pastor Joel - recovered from strep throat, thankful no one else in the house got it. Greg Blanchard - good test results; negative (and no symptoms) Will Zumstein - that they find what is making him ill Caitlynn Kravetz - eye surgery on April 6 Lori Huber - for her return to good health for she may lose her job because of this illness Continued prayers for Bill Graham, George Camilletti and Ed Lowe as they continue their battle with cancer --- Grace Emmert, Sue Franz, Trudy Neff, Grace Poe, Kathryn Poe, Joyce McBrayer, Janet Woodford, Jane Beitzel, Barb Betivas, Ellen Campbell, Carla Davenport, James Graham, Carolyn Harig, Lori Huber, Nancy Huber Shreffler, David Iler, Buddy Jenrette, Sue Kapper, Carl Kinnamon, Amber Milan, Nelson Peterson, Louis Salanitro, Patti Viscate
***
Community Announcements
Youth Fundraiser The youth of Harmony Springs are making homemade chocolate candy for Easter. Order peanut, raisin, krispie, pretzel or coconut in milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate. All proceeds will help offset the cost of camp. Place your order by emailing Donna or by calling the church office 330-899-9785. Orders will be taken through March 29. Cost $10.00 Baking for Building Carol Blystone will be making nut rolls for your Easter enjoyment. All proceeds to go to the Harmony Springs Building Fund. The cost is $10.00 a roll. An order sheet is available on Sunday mornings. The Wizard of Oz A TIme to Dance Junior Company (Carliegh Culver) at North Canton Playhouse on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at 7:00 pm and on Sunday, April 26th at 2:30 pm. Tickets: 330-497-7097. Early Childhood Education Alliance Annual Art & More Auction May 1st, 7:00-10:00 pm - ECEA (Early Childhood Education Alliance) Annual Art & More Auction 2020 Camp Forms are available Sunday morning on the Welcome Table and online at www.ccinoh.org.