Shabbat Shalom!

We have entered into a “strange” season. After 8 weeks of shut down and quarantine we are beginning to start up again. We are leaving our homes more often, some businesses are beginning to open and we can now find toilet paper more prevalent! I am a lifelong observer of trends in society, and in my many years on earth I have seen that fear is a powerful motivator and inhibiter. When this virus hit us, no one knew what it was, how deadly it was, and how we are to stop it. There was real fear. We shut everything down until we were able to get our heads around things and slow its spread. Now as it seems to be lessening in its severity and is maybe less deadly than originally thought, fear is inhibiting many from starting up again. I totally understand! There is so much conflicting and frankly contradicting information out there! As leaders in the body of Messiah, we are obligated and commanded to obey what we believe God is saying, and to walk it out BY FAITH

Last Shabbat was awesome! We had a “soft” reopening of services on the mountain. After much prayer and consulting with leadership and other church and congregation leaders we met together, maintaining distance, avoiding physical contact and basically honoring one another in how we related. After the service, cleaners came in to disinfect and do a deep cleaning, as this had been done before we met together. Here are the guidelines we are asking everyone to follow:

- if you are sick or have a fever, please do not come (services are being live-streamed on FaceBook)

- if you are in the vulnerable population over 60 yrs old and/or have pre-existing health issues, please stay home

- please bring a mask or face-covering, as they are recommended but not mandated to wear

- please enter and exit building from the front door, and avoid congregating in groups at the entrance

- avoid hugging and body contact (this can be difficult!)

- please use the upstairs restroom only and avoid going into the fellowship or classrooms downstairs

- wash hands and use hand sanitizer provided as often as possible

- finally, don’t judge others for coming or not coming to services!

This Shabbat, May 16th, as we celebrate together on the mountain, I sense that Father wants to re-open ancient wells of blessing! If we are a child of God, we are indeed grafted into the BLESSING OF ABRAHAM, and it is time to roll the stone away so as the water of the Spirit can flow freely! Shavuot is coming up in two weeks and we will be welcoming The Rabbi’s Son Bill Bullock on Shabbat, May 30th! He will be with us all day, so stay tuned for more details about his visit. Again, if you have any questions or concerns about our meetings, please contact Millie and I or those on the leadership team. We so look forward to seeing all of you “in person” as we worship, encourage and honor one another!

Blessings and Shabbat Shalom!

Stewart and Millie