A Message from Pastor Ronnie

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Update from Pastor Ronnie:
Dear church family,
Here’s a short update on a few things.

*Worship
It was so exciting to see so many people in worship this past Sunday. Thank you for spreading out and using masks while singing.
I know gathering together “did a lot of hearts good”- including mine. However, I’ve spoken to a lot of people who do not want to return until they feel more safe. We understand and we support you. Online worship will continue. Our current pattern is to stream live on Facebook (which then leaves a recording to watch later). We also post the recordings by about midweek on our YouTube channel.
This Sunday, I will conclude the series on getting more of God’s grace into my life. We will then begin a new journey together.

*Sermon Audio
During this shutdown, I focused more on the immediate video tasks at hand for online worship and devotions. A few of you liked the audio recordings of just the sermon as accessed from the church app. As we get more up to speed administratively, I hope to have the Sunday sermon audio extracted and posted again some time in the future.

*Video Project
I also want to thank you for your continuing generosity. So many people are committed to helping us improve the quality of of internet streaming. I spoke with a friend in Alabama this week, and as we chatted and I told him what we were doing he said, “I believe in what you’re doing and I want to share it it. I’ll sending you a gift.”
We are about ready to make some more purchases, but with so many doing online video right now, demand is high. For example, one maker of a mixing board that we ordered had had the factory shut down due to COVID-19. But they are back up and producing, trying to catch up. So be patient with us as we acquire new equipment. When we have everything, we will have a sharper image and much better sound. I have no doubt at all that you will experience a HUGE difference.
We are now committed to being online, so rest assured it will not be going away- even after the virus situation fades away.
Once everything is in place, there will be opportunities for volunteers to help make this happen every Sunday. So in a month or two, listen out for training opportunities.

*Stained Glass Project
Now that we are slowly opening up (Sunday worship, and now more committees are starting to meet again), my time is a bit more limited. I was releasing a Stained Glass Video every Wednesday. But in the future, we will simply post them when they are ready. We have about 8-10 more to come and I expect the next one will be posted next week. When the entire project is completed, I’m planning to make a DVD available of all episodes, plus, we hope to create a printed booklet which will include printed editions of all episodes and a bit more information not on video. We hope this will be an archival/historical treasure celebrating the beauty of these windows.

*First Light Devotion
I have not decided exactly how I’m going to handle First Light devotion in the future yet. I’m grateful it’s touching so many lives. In the future, they may be more diverse- some longer, some shorter, or a day might be skipped. But they will continue for now.

*Geothermal A/C
The project is finished and paid for. Praise the Lord. We thank everyone for helping us to make this happen (so we are no longer taking donations for it).

We continue to go through troubled waters in our times, but Jesus will walk with us… and we are called to be his light in a hurting world.

God is Good- All the Time.
In Jesus name,
Pastor Ronnie

Update from Pastor Ronnie / May 21

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A Message from Pastor Ronnie:

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In-Person Worship Re-opening June 7

The Leadership Team of our Long Range Planning group has set June 7 as phase 1 re-open date for worship.

We will provide a more detailed list of guidelines next week in a mailing, but for now I wanted to give you a couple of the most important parts without an overwhelmingly long document.

Context
The Bishop has now left it to the pastor and the church leadership to make the best decisions for each local setting.

Our leadership team feels that some factors work in favor of a limited reopening of worship for our church.

-The infection rate is currently relatively low for our county. Mobile, Alabama is much higher, and south Florida higher still.

-New daily infections is currently low for the county but especially for Crestview on the North side of the county.

-First Methodist has two wonderfully large rooms for worship which allow for a larger gathering and yet still practice social distancing. The Main Sanctuary in particular seats 400.

We also recognize that things can change. If there is a large spike in Crestview, we will revise our plan. But for now, we feel we are ready to reopen with phase 1.

Worship Times
We will begin with two services. Contemporary at 9:45 and Traditional at 11.

Please know that we had lengthy discussions about the 8:30 service. And our plan is to bring that back in phase 2.

There are several challenges for 8:30 worship. First, the chapel itself is not large enough for social distancing. Many who have not attended the 8:30 service may not know that it was our most crowded service compared to room size. Further, if we move 8:30 to the Main sanctuary, then cleaning will be required between services.

Thus for right now, we want to bring our folks back for worship in the safest, simplest way possible. I spoke to some people from the 8:30 service and opinions were across the board. Most said they would be flexible during this difficult time. A few were pretty firm that they only like the 8:30 hour.

So for right now, we will keep things as simple as possible. The highest logistical goal is to get in-person worship started again. Thus we will not have Sunday School, youth, or children’s activities.

Some Safe Practices
When we come back together for worship, we will spread out by family groups and practice social distancing.

Also, we want our worshippers to wear a mask. Because singing is a possible source of transmission of disease in a pandemic (speaking is much less a problem). Some may find this article helpful: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/…/congregational-singin…/ This will also be why we will not have a choir at first, relying instead on special music. If I was given a choice: a) come and worship silently or humming with no mask… or b) worship with singing using a mask- I would opt for congregational singing with a mask.

Thus, if you have no mask, we encourage you to get some. Our plan is to provide some for those who have none.

What we want to avoid is re-opening, having a viral outbreak, and then having to close worship again (which has happened in a few churches around the country).

Online is Here to Stay
Our plan is to continue to provide online worship. This will be true not only because of the pandemic, but also because God is graciously allowing us to reach a wider audience through this medium.

Our Hearts in Love
Our nation is very divided, and this applies to issues related to this pandemic. Even within our own church, I’ve received passionate views on all sides. But in the midst of divided opinion, I’m asking the Church to be the Church- a gathering of those who come together with a spirit of love, humility, patience and gentleness. A people whose passionate desire is to honor Jesus and love one another.

This is the heart of who we are historically as Methodists. I’m reminded the words of our founder, John Wesley, who penned his famous simple synopsis of the Christian life: “Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.” These words have never seemed truer or stronger than in our current pandemic.

June 7 will be an exciting day. I look forward to being in worship with many of you. If you do not feel comfortable coming yet, we support you.

In Christ,

Pastor Ronnie

Feeding Families Project on Saturday, April 24 & 25

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Crestview's Faith Based Feeding Families Project

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A note from Crestview Mayor JB Whitten:

"The time has come. Believe it or not, this has been a humongous undertaking because it has involved Farm Share, Destin Harvest, Gulf Coast Feeding, the Patriot Emergency Response Team, the County Emergency Response Team, Okaloosa-Walton United Way, Hub City Smokehouse & Grill, the Crestview Team, and now all of you.

As mentioned before, I want to this be conducted as a Faith Community program called the Feeding Families Project. Based on our 2 teleconferences, I believe you will all support this is some fashion; some more than others, based on the size of your congregation.

So, what I need from you all are the volunteers to show up Friday, the 24th, starting at 5PM, at the Community Center, to pre-pack bags with non-perishable dry goods. I will then need more volunteers [same or different] to show up at 7 AM the next morning to pack the produce and refrigerated items, then stay for distribution from 9 AM until noon or until we run out of the 42,000 pounds of food.

All participants will be screened by a medical expert to make sure we don’t have any accidental virus exposures. Volunteers will also be provided with masks, gloves, water, and if we can get a sponsor, a light breakfast on Saturday morning.

Based on previous giveaways, we have determined that we need a minimum of 40 to 50 volunteers. To make sure that we have that kind of support, I need a solid list of names and shift [Fri. or Sat.] to me by no later than the end of business Wednesday, the 22nd.

With these kind of events , one doesn’t want to do media releases too early nor too late; therefore, don’t expect to see anything on radio, television, social media, or print until about the 22nd.

Thank you for your support in verifying that we are truly “A Community Coming Together”."

JB Whitten
Crestview Mayor

* If you are interested in assisting please contact the mayor at jbwhitten@cityofcrestview.org

Community Hymn Sing on Sunday, April 19

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TUNE UP & TUNE IN! 
Mark your calendars & share with your friends:
First Presbyterian Church is going to host an online community HYMN SING this coming Sunday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. We won’t be able to see one another, but a few folks at the Presbyterian church have agreed to lead the singing.

People who join online will be able to type in a hymn request. And if we have it, it will be played and sung. All are invited to “tune in and tune up” as we exercise, yet one more way, of staying connected during this time of mandated distancing.

People can simply click the link below, or copy it into their web browser. It will take you to the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church Facebook page. Then just scroll down a little bit and look for the Live notification.

https://www.facebook.com/Laurel-Hill-Presbyterian-Church-123002761060097/

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Church Group/Event Cancellations Updated

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Update from Pastor Ronnie

Bishop Graves has requested that all churches continue to suspend
in-person worship and other large gatherings for the next few weeks.
 Thus, we are taking all precautions necessary for the safety of our congregation, children and the public.   Thus all in person worship services for April are canceled.  We will have worship available on Facebook Live at 9:45am & 11am.

Also, all group meetings will be canceled through April.  These include youth, children (including the Palm Sunday Event), small groups, weekly groups, scouts and most committee meetings.  There will still be a couple of committees that will need to meet and they will be notified by email and phone.

We will continue with our Saturday soup kitchen to feed those who are in need during this period with “take out” only.

We will continue to host worship live on Facebook with two broadcasts: one Contemporary and one Traditional.   No general audience will be physically present in the room, but musicians will lead us and I will preach.

We will update you on future events as soon as more information is available.  If you have a smart phone, the church app is a great help. Just search your app store for FUMCRESTVIEW.

Donations may be made in several ways:  by our Church App, by mail, or you may drop it in the locked prayer box on the post at the office covered drive (please don’t leave cash).  Thank you for your support through these difficult days.

Through the centuries, the Church has survived wars, famine, chaos and persecution.  Not only do I know that we will move through this as it passes, but I also know that God wants to do a new work in you and me.

To His Name be praise.

Thank you for your patience during this time.  We have a great church family and it is an honor to be in service with you.  Please pray for your wonderful staff and leaders as we navigate through these days.

Pastor Ronnie

Watching Worship Live

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Let's worship together at home!
Worship will be Live Streamed here on Facebook this Sunday morning, March 22.
Contemporary Worship will be streamed at 9:45AM. Traditional Worship will be streamed at 11:00AM.
How can we best support each other during this time?
*Pray! You may send your prayer requests to fumcrestview@gmail.com to be included in our weekly prayer email.
*Share the love of Christ! What can you do to ease the burden of the person next to you during this shut down?
*Give! We appreciate your continuation of gifts and tithes (snail mail or through our app FUMCrestview) in support of our church during this difficult time.
*Check back regularly! Pastor Ronnie and our staff are looking at creative ways to do ministry in these days. We expect a continued stream of information, especially if the shutdown is extended.

Geothermal Maintenance Begun

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Work has begun on our geothermal a/c units. Currently there are 3 large holes dug in the court yard between the main church and the Wesleyan Child Care Center. These have been marked off with caution tape. Please use EXTREME CAUTION when using the sidewalk going to the breezeway for Sunday school classes and Kids' Street.

We ask all parents to escort their children by holding hands as they walk up the sidewalk to Kids' Street so that they stay safe.

Our number one priority is the safety of our children and our congregation during this time.

Thank you for your patience during this process.