From the Pastor's Desk 3.3.22

What a blessing it was to worship together for Ash Wednesday, led by the Confirmation Class of 2022! If you missed the service, you can watch it on the church Facebook page or on our YouTube channel.

This Sunday marks the first Sunday in the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter when we examine our hearts and devote ourselves to spiritual practices that develop our faith. One of those practices is prayer, and that is the focus for this week's Unbinding message. Join us on Sunday or online, as we take a look at the Lord's Prayer through a slightly different lens. We also will observe the sacrament of Communion, and there will be a very important announcement for those who worship with us in person.

Bishop David Bard has made the recommendation that we can lift all COVID restrictions if our county has a "positive test rate" lower than 5%. As of Thursday, Kandiyohi County's positive test rate was 3.9%. With this in mind, the COVID response team has decided to remove the restrictions we have maintained in the sanctuary, effective this Sunday, March 6, 2022. This means you may wear a mask (and I encourage you to do so if you have any health issues affecting your immunity to disease), but it is no longer expected.

In addition, for the first time in my appointment here, we will celebrate Holy Communion by coming forward to receive bread and cup, instead of using the Communion kits we've depended on for the past two years. I hope you can join us, in person or in spirit. See you in church, Church! - Pastor Jo Anne