This is the day that the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Hopefully today you will find time to breathe deeply and take in the beauty of the earth and all the blessings around you!  Below are a few pieces of important news I want you to be aware of.  

MCCC Gathering Team

The Gathering Team met on Tuesday evening and had lots of discussion around MCCC’s covid protocols moving forward.  The group thought it was very important that we should continue meeting in-person and to do it as safely as possible according to the latest recommendations by our local and national health officials.  Both our local county health district and the CDC are recommending masking indoors whether you are vaccinated or not.  They are also recommending 3-6ft distancing as much as possible.  

With that in mind here is the statement from the Gathering Team:
Throughout the pandemic we have sought to follow the guidance of our national and local health officials.  Due to their science-based guidance and our desire to love our neighbors, we will be requiring masks for our indoor Mantua Center worship and events.  Also, in order to create spacing, we will be blocking off every other pew to limit the capacity and more safely distance in worship.

I know that some will feel uncomfortable with the decision and others will welcome it gladly.  I am not aware of anyone that “likes” to wear a mask, but due to the strong guidance we want to be a part of the solution to limit the spread as much as possible.  Due to the uptick in county cases and the emergence of some “break-through” cases we believe this is the best path to worship together as safely as we can.  

I did want to mention that those speaking up front will be allowed to take their masks off.  It is difficult for many to hear as it is, so we want to make sure that those speaking can be heard clearly. 

Of course, we will still be offering space on the lawn and online streaming services.  Thanks to Carol Magyarics and her crew we have these other options available to us.

Pastor Update

I also wanted to communicate a change in my own routine as your pastor for this fall.  Due to the uptick in cases and the increased exposure I will have to the virus (with 3 teens in school and a Kindergarten teacher at home!) I will be limiting my physical contact with folks at church and will limit indoor home visits.  This has been very painful for me over the last year and a half, but I believe it is the best course to limit exposure.  I would, of course, welcome outdoor visits, phone calls, and/or Zoom calls.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for a listening ear, prayer, and support.  

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this.  These are hot topics in much of our culture today and we hope to have your cooperation and support in these changes.  IF you have questions about them, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to Jon Secaur (chair of Gathering Team).  

God’s grace and peace be with you and looking forward to being with you in worship to hear the dulcimers and explore Psalm 150 this Sunday!

Peace in Christ,
Chad

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During this pandemic and season of difficulty, I may get back to you later than usual.  Please extend as much grace as you can and I’ll return your email as soon as possible.  God’s peace and blessings be with you.  
“What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8

“Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Arms”
Rev. Chad Delaney – Senior Pastor
Mantua Center Christian Church
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
4118 State Route 82/P.O. Box 550
Mantua, OH 44255
(330) 274-8258
cell: (330) 569-4926
https://mantuacentercc.org/