Dear B’rit Family!
We have gone through some difficult times in the last few months and appreciate all your love, encouragement, steadfastness, patience, and generosity in this season! As we begin to meet together again, we are following the guidelines of the City of Memphis’s back-to-business plan. In Phase 2 of this plan, we can re-open with less than fifty people in our sanctuary, provided we also follow social distancing guidelines. When we get together, you will notice that some things may be different, but we need to remain thankful and grateful.
Romans 15:2-3: “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, for building him up. For even Messiah did not please Himself…”
We expect everyone to exercise wise, responsible freedom under God’s leading. If you have any pre-existing conditions or other factors that may make you more vulnerable, we encourage you to really seek wisdom from the LORD. You can continue to join us online—via the recorded service now or via live stream (coming soon).
We encourage everyone to talk with the LORD about the best way for you and your family to make a healthy transition back to gathering with the B’rit community. We want to challenge you to seek and receive His guidance, rather than settling for you own opinion. How is He leading you? We want to exhort our community to love each other deeply, doing nothing out of fear. The application of this can look different from one person to another and still be authentic.
Here’s a brief update of what you can expect in the coming weeks:
- For the next few weeks, we will be meeting on Thursday evenings for our weekly Shabbat service. The service will continue to be recorded and will be available on the website on Saturday morning at 10:00 am, LORD willing.
- If you have a fever (a quick check before coming is recommended for everyone) or are sick, please stay home and join us online via the recorded service now or via live stream (coming soon).
- The number of people who can be accommodated in the sanctuary during service is greatly reduced due to social distancing guidelines. We’ll be asking everyone to pre-register to attend the service. You’ll be able to do this online via Realm each week. More details on this will follow soon.
- Once you arrive at the building, you will notice a few changes:
- For everyone’s safety, we will be taking everyone’s temperature using a “no contact” thermometer at the door.
- We will all be asked to sanitize our hands as soon as we enter the sanctuary. We will have a table just inside the door with hand sanitizer.
- We ask that households sit together during the service, with at least 4-6 feet apart from other households (please leave two empty chairs). This can help some people feel more respected and comfortable. Ushers will be helping to find seats in the sanctuary.
- We are not asking everyone to wear a mask (or face covering) at this time. If you prefer to wear a mask, have no shame or fear of wearing it. We want you here. Because masks are not expected or required, please don’t have the expectation that others wear a mask.
- Due to social distancing and other health department guidelines, we will not be able to offer childcare or children’s activities at this time.
- The service will be starting at 6:30 pm. While we understand that some of you may be coming from work, we ask that you do your best to arrive by 6:15 pm. It will take a couple of extra minutes to get everyone seated.
- We want to be courteous by giving “healthy physical space” to people in your interactions while you are at service. Let’s try and be spatially and socially aware to the best of our capacity. One small thing we ask is when you come into the building, please do not cluster around in the foyer.
What about handshaking and hugging? Well, don’t just assume everyone will be up for that. Some are. Some are not. So, let’s be relationally sensitive to that dynamic. There are some that are practicing very light social distancing, due to their preferences and convictions. Some people are practicing it much more due to their preferences and convictions. We are being true to who we are in Yeshua by respecting and accepting one another without judgment on their convictions and preferences here.
We have missed each one of you and are excited about the relational joy of being together in His Presence again! Everyone belongs. Whatever each person can do to help create more belonging is greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!