Cancelled: March 25 Community Dinner

Dana Carter confirmed that the March 25 Community Dinner has been cancelled.  She is tentatively planning that we will have the next Community Dinner on April 22.  If anything changes, we'll let you know. :)
Verna

2020 March 17 Letter from NWIM (formerly EWAID) Synod COVID-19 Update

Northwest Intermountain Synod COVID-19 Update March 17, 2020

Beloved of God, At a meeting of the NWIM Synod Executive Committee this morning, the following actions were taken:  1.    The Regional Gatherings scheduled for April 25 (Pullman); May 2 (Twin Falls); and May 16 (Moses Lake) have been cancelled as they fall within the guidelines issued by the CDC on March 13 that any gathering of 50 people be suspended through May 13.  Pastor Phil Misner will be in touch with our presenter, Linda Staatz, as well as our gathering partners in each region to let them know of this decision. Due to the constantly changing guidelines and extended timelines for this pandemic, there are no active plans to reschedule these events. We are hopeful, however, that once things even out that we might be able to revisit them for a future date. 2.    The Executive Committee extended the Synod Staff travel ban to be in line with current CDC recommendations for gatherings, even if the travel would be to meet with fewer than 50 people. This is an action of abundant caution, recognizing that most of the meetings we travel to attend can be facilitated in other, safer, ways at this time. We look forward to being able to travel to be with congregations again, but we also take your health and well being seriously enough that we are willing to practice this abundance of caution. 3.    The Executive Committee is aware that the 8-week ban on gatherings of 50 or more people will absorb the observance of Holy Week and Easter. The Executive Committee will meet again on March 31 to discuss best practices for congregations to observe these holy days safely and in compliance with current CDC recommendations. 4.    Synod Staff are working from home at a timeline that is in accordance with current CDC guidelines. You can continue to email synod staff at kristen.kuempel@nwimsynod.org; phil.misner@nwimsynod.org; mary.morrow@nwimsynod.org; cathy.steiner@nwimsynod.org; and melody.green@nwimsynod.org. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can continue to call the synod office during normal business hours and talk to a real live person! 509-838-9871. If no one picks up, please leave a message as we are also able to access voicemail to that number remotely. We are also hearing a great deal of concern about financial needs in this time of pandemic, recognizing that some of our people cannot or are uncomfortable with electronic giving. It is of vital importance that you continue to financially support your congregations in this time. Staff are continuing to work, and in ways that we have no muscle memory for—most days it feels as though leadership is building the plane while we’re flying it, and just when we think we have it figured out someone comes and tells us that it was supposed to be a boat. This is not “time off” for your staff and leadership. There are still bills that will need to be paid. So please: work with your congregational leadership to find ways to continue to give through this time.  The Synod office will be working on a best practices document for distribution, and that should be available by the end of the week, however an uncomplicated plan for continued financial support of your congregation is to simply drop your offering check in the mail. Many congregations are keeping their offices open in limited capacities, and your offering can be received in the mail delivery. Many of our members are not fluent with technology. Please make sure that you are communicating with them regularly, and make sure that a paper copy of this letter is sent to them. The synod office does not know who does and does not have access to electronic communication, but congregational leaders probably do. We appreciate your cooperation in making sure our most isolated folks feel connected to the Body of Christ. As we weather this pandemic of COVID-19, I am consistently surprised at the spirit, the compassion, and the care that I hear expressed for one another. Thank you for your willingness to lean into this weirdness. Thank you for caring for your rostered leaders. Thank you for caring for your synod staff. It is a deep honor to be doing this work with all of you—pastors, deacons, and lay people. As difficult as this time is, I think we will learn a lot about what it means to be Church in this age. If it is anything like I am seeing every day: all will be well. Different. But well. May God bring peace to your hearts,

Bishop Kristen Kuempel

Visit our COVID-19 Resources online at nwimsynod.org/covid19

(509) 838-9871    nwimsynod.org

Lent Services Livestreamed on Facebook WEDNESDAYS!

Genesee Lutheran Parish is having Lent Service at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at St. John’.  Since some of you won’t be able to attend, Pastor Peg is offering Lenten Services which are livestreamed on Facebook Wednesdays!

1. ·         Go to Facebook.  Then search for: Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lewiston, Idaho.
2. ·         On left side of page, select:  Event.
3. ·         On the right side of page, select:  Midweek Lenten Worship Livestream
4. ·         Select the title “Midweek Lenten Worship Livestream” and the info opens
5. ·         Scroll down to DETAILS.  Click on the link:  https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-Lewiston-Idaho-191926606751/

We can worship together spiritually, even though we may be apart physically!

If you have any trouble, call Verna at 208.285.1917!

Council Decision about Continuing Sunday Worship (March 15, 2020)

Genesee Lutheran Parish Council (GLP) met March 15 for the regular Council meeting.  The Council discussed the handling of worship services, considering the current news about COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus):

GLP will follow the decisions of Genesee Joint School District 282 (https://www.sd282.org/), the local health officials, and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in determining the closure of the church—at this time, because school is in session, Worship is in session!

·         GLP will continue Sunday worship services.

·         We will not distribute communion during worship.

·         We will not Pass the Peace during worship.

·         We will place the offering plate at the entrance to the narthex.  If you cannot attend, you may mail your offering to:  Genesee Lutheran Parish, P.O. Box 125, Genesee, Idaho.  Please mark OFFERING on the envelope so that only the Council Treasurer will see it.

·         We will not have food at Fellowship at this time.

·         We will have Lent services on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at St. John’s, but we will NOT have Soup Supper at 6:30.

Pastor Peg said that Grace Lutheran is arranging to stream their Sunday Worship online for those of us who cannot attend.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact us at 208-285-1719 (parish cell phone) or email at Parish@geneseelutheranparish.org.

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Genesee Lutheran Parish
PO Box 125
Genesee, Idaho USA

208-285-1719
http://geneseelutheranparish.blogspot.com/

There will be Sunday School and Worship Service, Mar. 15, 2020

Greetings all!

We will worship tomorrow. If you do not feel like you should be there, please stay home. 

We will not have communion, passing of the peace, or passing of the offering plate. We will take reasonable precautions. 

We will decide about next week in a few days. 

Blessings,

Pastor Peg

Rev. Dr. Peggy L. Harvey-Marose

Genesee Lutheran Parish

PO Box 125

Genesee, Idaho 83832-0125

208-285-1719 Office

208-503-0387 Cell

There will also be Sunday School at 10 am

2020 March Newsletter