Author: Owner

Galena UMC
Recovery & ReTurn Report

November 18, 2020 Week #23

Galena’s
ReTurn Team
Dale Henze – Chair
Dennis Irwin
Charlene Price
Patricia Allen–Stewart
Bill & Sherry Marc
Jay & Hillary Dickerson
Dave & Judy Biegon
Karen Hughes
Darcy Muehliep
Pastor Catiana McKay

Weekly Update … from Dale
What we certainly hope we have not done is put ourselves and our church family in danger by gathering in large groups for religious services "as usual." That would have been — and continues
to be, in this time of contagion — irresponsible and sinful.
It is interesting and exciting to see how many in our congregation are positive and creative in offering a variety of worship opportunities during the upcoming Advent and Christmas season. Please see Catiana’s notes that are part of this report to see more about what these exciting and creative ideas look like as planning unfolds.
No one is prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Though we are in the teeth of a pandemic, in which a very dangerous coronavirus can be transmitted by, among other things, close physical proximity, people can and do continue to worship, albeit in temporarily altered circumstances and in novel ways.

We all want to be able to open our churches and places of worship fully so that those who wish to gather in physical communion again can do so. However, this must be done incrementally and with utmost care. Physicians and health experts should be our primary guides here. We plan to follow their guidance with strict and humble adherence.
Eventually we will all be ready.
But let us take the time we need to get it right. When we put out our hands for communion again,, let's be confident that the body of Christ will nourish our bodies and not infect them. Our bodies — and lives — may depend on it.
SHOUT HOSANNA!!!!!!!
But first, step back six feet.

Update from the County ...from Jay
As of Nov. 16, there have been 905 positive cases in Jo Daviess County. Of those cases, 729 have recovered. There have been 12 deaths. There are no current statistics as to whether or not people have gotten infected a second time.
In Illinois, there have been 585,248 positive cases, and 10,779 deaths.
Common-sense practices, including wearing masks, and not gathering in large groups, remain in place. State health officials also recommend working at home over the next three weeks.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced driver services facilities statewide are closed, and will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 8, due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. For online services, visit cyberdriveillinois.com.
Expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards will be extended as well.

Medical Tip of the Week ...from Dennis
Refer to FAQ page 1 for more detailed answer
11 Medical Tips of the Week for this week
There are eleven things to remember and to do that will help you manage your feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression during the Covid19 pandemic:
Be social. People like to talk, more so now. It is therapeutic.
Spend quality time with family. Master Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.
Take a break from news. It gets more depressing by the day.
Change your mindset. No one likes a grump, not even you.
Get busy. Do all those things you have been putting off for years.
Go outdoors. It is cold. Dress warmly.
Help others. It always feels good to help someone else.
Take action. There is pride in finishing a task.
Take care of yourself. It goes without saying. Stay safe.
Ask for help. There is no shame in doing this. We are all feeling down.
Try a new perspective. There is always a silver lining if you look for it.

Notes …from Charlene … I’m finding that “staying in touch” seems to be the only good thing coming out of this pandemic. In conversations with our members, I’m finding that most would be uncomfortable attending services in our building at this time. The more we can hold our church family close, the better it feels, whether it’s by phone calls or notes. We really are all in this together.

Blessings … from Pastor Catiana
Greetings! Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? The following Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent and Christmas Eve worship services are almost ready to share. It does take “a village”, our family, to birth a service. Plan for a zoom study, and luminaries for your home worship. Your worship/celebration team zoomed Monday, brainstorming about some ways to celebrate this special season together.
Karen and Donna usually decorate the sanctuary and set the manger in place before we all join them to set up and decorate the tree. Of course, we can't do this together but we can individually, prepare the sanctuary for the recordings that will bring together the intimate times we share in our sanctuary around Advent and Christmas. Karen will begin our sanctuary decorating by setting the liturgical colors on the altar and placing greenery and color within the sanctuary. She will also lay the foundation platform for the manger which Judy and Dale, at another time, will set up.
For this year, a light but lovely tree will take the place of the usual tree which requires many hands to prepare. Our poinsettias will again provide a way to honor and remember those who have touched our lives AND through your honoring and remembering donations, we will again, purchase animals for the Heifer Project ministry that touches so many around the world. Maybe we start with a couple of Heifers?
We’ll join our community Night of Luminaries with our sanctuary brilliantly lit through the memorable stained glass windows with luminaries lining the steps. Luminaries will accompany us when we, together but distanced and masked, share some caroling opportunities. Many things may feel different but the Spirit of the Christ child shines bright! We’ll be sharing as things unfold! Thanks be to God!

Blessings … from Pastor Catiana

Remember: Do No Harm … Do Good … Stay in Love with God!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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