RCUMC’s COVID-19 Response – letter #3

RCUMC’s COVID-19 Response – letter #3

Dear Raleigh Court United Methodist Members,

 

We are going through an unprecedented time. The development of COVID-19 can easily overwhelm us. 
I pray, in the midst of this chaos, that you are safe and healthy! 
As we are facing this stormy season, we are to remember that we are called to focus our eyes on our Lord. 
Set aside time to pray and stay in the presence of our Lord. Take a break from all the news, which is important for informing us, but at the same time can easily add on to our worries. 
Utilize resources that will help you to carve out that time and pray. 
Remember that I am sending out a Lenten prayer video, every morning at 6:00 AM (Mon-Sat) and our Bishop asked us to pray at noon. Click here to read the noon-time prayer, released by our Bishop

For our family, we are doing well! The boys are adjusting to homeschooling, although they miss school. They miss interactions, and I think we all do. My wife’s classes all moved online, and the tests required for graduation are all on a halt. I’m trying my best to reach out to our members, but I know that it will not be enough to keep up with everyone. That is why I would like to encourage small groups to keep each other accountable to each other. 

In the midst of all the craziness, our family started an evening Family Devotion after dinner. 
After cleaning up dinner, we read the Scripture from Reckoned as Righteousness and get to share our thoughts.  
Then we share prayer concerns for our family and church. Then we go around in a circle and pray together. 
This has been the highlight of this week, as we see the world turning upside down. 

I want to thank Eric Anderson, Director of NextGen Ministries, for sharing resources for families to make the best out of this situation, to grow in love and in our call. Click here to see more ways to engage with each other. 
https://rcumc.org/nextgen-covid-19/

Don Sartell (September 14, 1928 – March 20, 2020)
Before sharing what will happen with worship, I would like to share the passing of our dear member, Don Sartelle. Don always made everyone around him laugh. He was full of delight, and he entered into glory, at the age of 91, yesterday. Please continue to pray for the family, as they are trying to navigate his service, in the midst of the situation we are in. We will update you with more information, as soon as they are decided. 

Online Worship will continue till March 29th, 2020


We are receiving newly updated information regarding the response directions from our Annual Conference.  The latest update directs all Virginia United Methodist Churches to worship online till March 29th, 2020. That means that we would not hold any in-person worship for the next two Sundays. 
Only a few, less than 10 people, will gather at church to lead the 8:30 AM service for the live stream. This service will be a live blended Worship, starting at 8:30 AM, led by Mark and Debra. You will see the rebroadcast of the worship available for you to tune in anytime. 

Here are some ways to join us for our Online Worship. 

Website: www.rcumc.org/watch 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rcumc
Youtube: Click here

Zoom. us
Zoom is an online virtual meeting platform. Our church has a Zoom account and planning to start gatherings over Zoom.us. You may download an app on your smartphone or computer, and easily join the meeting without signing up. One of the great features of zoom is that you can tune in to the meeting, via a traditional landline phone. If your group would like to get together, please contact a staff member and schedule a zoom meeting to connect. 

That is why we will start Call-in zoom worship for our seniors, this Sunday. 
They don’t need to download the app or go through any installation process. 
All they need to do is to dial in the following number and I’ll greet them and we will have a Call-in Worship. 
Here is how we will do it. 
11:00 – 11:10 Greeting everyone joining & Prayer 
11:10 – 11:20 Sharing any concerns 
11:20 – 11:40 listen to sermon 
11:40 – 11:50 Question and Answer 
11:50 – 12:00 Dismissal 
 
The following is the meeting information 
 
 
Topic: Call-in Worship 03-22-2020
Time: Mar 22, 2020, 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/4819605375
 
Call in # +1 929 205 6099 
You will be asked to enter the following meeting ID
Meeting ID: 481 960 5375

We are grateful for the technology that allows us to meet, in the time of social distancing. 
Please see the following post and make the best of this experience. 



However, nothing can be the same as personal interactions. 
We will pray that this pandemic will be eradicated. 
We pray that we will be able to meet and hug each other soon!

Miss you all! 

In Christ,
Rev. Seungsoo Jun