Reopening the Church May 31 for worship only
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Dear First Church family and friends,
A task force ably chaired by Cynthia Stewart brought a recommendation to the Session last night to reopen the Sanctuary, the Great Hall and Stephenson Hall for worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st.
The Session overwhelmingly approved the Task Force’s recommendations.
This happy news aligns us with many Tulsa congregations who are reopening in one way or another in late May or early June.
Our first phase of reopening (on May 31st) will only include three worship services:
- 8:30 a.m. Stephenson Hall – contemporary worship
- 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary – traditional worship
- 11:00 a.m. Great Hall – Tulsa International Fellowship worship
Those who in any way are hesitant to return to worship in person are much encouraged to wait.
Those who are planning to come to worship on that Sunday will be asked to return an “intention” e-mail to let us know you are coming. If you cannot email us, please call the Church at 918-584-4701. This will enable us to prepare more wisely and accommodate each one who expects to be worshipping on that first Sunday.
Please email dschooley@FirstChurchTulsa.org by Friday, May 29 with your name, the number of people in your party and the worship service you plan to attend.
The Session also asked the staff to work on the standard protocols. In a week or so these will be furnished to the Worship Committee and the Session for their review. The protocols will be published throughout the congregation through multiple platforms.
This first phase of reopening is focused solely on worship. All other activities and gatherings remain deferred until the Session moves us into a Phase II mode, expected in mid or late June.
All the Session’s decisions regarding reopening in this multi-phased way are provisional and will be reviewed when the Session meets again in late May and then throughout the summer.
We are grateful for the unprecedented efforts made by so many to examine and review the best course forward for this congregation.
With gratitude to God for blessings received both at home and together, I commend each of you into the care and keeping of our Lord Jesus, the Lord of the Church!
Warmly, in His love,
Jim
James D. Miller, Pastor