August 29, 2021

Dear GEECC Friends and Family,

As many of you know, this week the governor issued an order mandating the use of masks indoors by all persons over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status. While this order goes into effect on Monday, we will post the governor’s order at church this Sunday to inform everyone, and we will have masks available to those who need them as they enter. We will also be slightly modifying the way we participate in communion, and we will move our coffee service outside following worship.

Our church leadership knows there are mixed feelings about this mandate. We understand that there will be a wide variety of responses. We respect the stance of those who agree with this move by our government as well as the stance of those who disagree. It is my hope that all of us continue to remember the words of Christ in the gospel of John, “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” and the words of the apostle Paul when he urges the church in Colosse to “bear with one another.”

I believe that being together in worship and fellowship is integral to our life in Christ. We are the body of Christ! We live, rejoice, and suffer together. We must not give up meeting together and we must find ways to encourage one another daily toward love and good deeds. I believe that our community is the number one place where we can accomplish these things together in Christ. I believe that every single one of us, no matter what our personal feelings are, must make sacrifices to love God and love our neighbor. As followers of Christ, I encourage all of us to dwell on these things and ask ourselves how we might “bear with each other?"

Based on these things, I intend to follow the governor’s orders. Whether or not I agree with the merit of this requirement, I am fully vaccinated and intend to wear a mask indoors. I invite you to take time to consider your response as well. 

Peace,
Pastor Jeff 

May 14, 2021

Dear GEECC Friends and Family,

As many of you know, the CDC guidance issued on May 13th states, “If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic,” and “fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing.”

We are thankful that the spread and effects of the virus are waning, and this means people are in a healthier and safer place. It also means that many who have been isolated throughout the past year can begin the healing process of being in community again. We can praise God for that! 

As a result of the CDC guidance, social distancing and masks will no longer be required at church and we will no longer have pre-registration for worship services.. The CDC still recommends social distancing and masks for people who are not fully vaccinated. With this in mind, please feel free to wear a mask at the Sunday service if you wish. Also, socially distanced seating will still be maintained in the balcony and alcoves.

Since the vaccine has not been made available to all children yet, we will continue following CDC safety guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks in our children and youth programs.

It has been a long year of pandemic that has come with much hardship and I am sure there is still hardship ahead, but God is so faithful, and He continues to lead and guide us. As we move forward my expectant hope is that times of healing and restoration are coming and that we, as a church family, will seek ways to bring healing and restoration to our community and the hope of the gospel to those we meet along the way!

Peace,
Pastor Jeff

May 17, 2020

Covid-19 Supplemental Mission Fund

Every ministry we participate in and support has changed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.  Our amazing missions team reached out to all of our ministry partners and the missionaries we support through the GECC Missions Budget and found that many of the ministries, and some of the missionaries, are experiencing significant financial shortfalls as a result of the pandemic.  We anticipate this list will grow as more time goes by.  It is our desire to help fill the financial gap for those missionaries and ministries with whom we already partner.

If you would like to help, please consider donating to the Covid-19 Supplemental Mission Fund in addition to your regular giving to the church.  Donations to this fund will supplement, not replace, financial support already approved in the current Operating Budget.Your donations will be distributed at the discretion of the Missions Team to assist those of our mission partners who are experiencing these special financial needs due to the crisis.

For a list of ministries and missionaries we support, please contact: info@gecovenant.org

Thank you for your consideration of these needs! We appreciate any financial assistance you can give. The need is great!

March 25, 2020

COVID19 Task Force

GECC has put together a task force dedicated to ensuring that we are responding appropriately to the needs of our church based on the latest information and direction from credible sources and authorities.

March 20, 2020