{"id":23793,"date":"2020-03-12T16:32:56","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T20:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=23793"},"modified":"2021-06-14T14:50:27","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T18:50:27","slug":"coronavirus-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=23793","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">As we near the end of the coronavirus crisis, we find ourselves in a time of transition.\u00a0 Policies are constantly changing as we re-define what the &#8220;new Normal&#8221; is.\u00a0\u00a0 As these details become available, they will be posted here.\u00a0 Stay tuned&#8230;.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Current Status of PUMC Activities &amp; Building Use<\/strong><\/span><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n<div class='et-box et-warning'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\">Our Building is now <\/span><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: 14pt;\">OPEN<\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"> to all activities!!!<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We continue to monitor the case numbers, but it currently seems that we are reaching the end of the pandemic and that we can now safely begin to lift restrictions.\u00a0 This is the news we&#8217;ve all awaited since the building was closed in March 2020!\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We still strive to keep everyone safe and to take basic precautions.\u00a0 For details on how we are currently conducting our worship services, click this button (building use policy updates will now be shown on the &#8220;COVID Safety for Worship Page&#8221;):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=25791' class='icon-button heart-icon' target=\"_blank\">COVID Safety for Worship<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Important Resources&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Refer to these items to help you thru the end of this pandemic&#8230;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 80%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: outset; border-color: #1411ed; background-color: #fffeba;\" border=\"8\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Facts about the coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/bit.ly\/3cYv5yR' class='icon-button warning-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Facts from CDC<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">State of NJ Vaccination Information:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/covidvaccine.nj.gov\/' class='icon-button warning-icon' target=\"_blank\">\u00a0 NJ Vaccination Registration<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/covid19.nj.gov\/pages\/finder?utm_campaign=20210423_nwsltr&#038;utm_medium=email&#038;utm_source=govdelivery' class='icon-button warning-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Find an Appointment<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gloucester County NJ Vaccination Information:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/www.gloucestercountynj.gov\/1168\/COVID-19-Vaccinations' class='icon-button warning-icon' target=\"_blank\">Covid Vaccination Center<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Pharmacy Vaccinations near Pitman NJ (<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;q=covid+vaccinations+near+pitman+nj#wptab=s:H4sIAAAAAAAAAOMwe8SYxi3w8sc9YanYSWtOXmMM55LzTU3JTM7MS3XJLE5NLE4NS0wG81JzMstSiyqFpLnYXPNKMksqhQSl-Ll49dP1DQ2zLOIti8sMzIQkuDh88pMTSzLz84R4pLi4OPRz9Q0q8gzKeRaxKibnl2WmKJSBzQMrKVbIS00sUijILMlNzFPIywIAMG6qLI8AAAA\">Google\u00a0Search<\/a><\/span>):<\/p>\n<a href='https:\/\/bit.ly\/3e9Akgi' class='icon-button refresh-icon' target=\"_blank\">Rite Aid<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a>\n<a href='https:\/\/www.cvs.com\/immunizations\/covid-19-vaccine' class='icon-button refresh-icon' target=\"_blank\">CVS<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a>\n<a href='https:\/\/bit.ly\/3di94gx' class='icon-button refresh-icon' target=\"_blank\">Walgreens<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a>\n<a href='https:\/\/shoprite.reportsonline.com\/shopritesched1\/program\/Imm\/Patient\/Advisory' class='icon-button refresh-icon' target=\"_blank\">ShopRite<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a>\n<p>Other locations can be found here:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/www.solvhealth.com\/nj\/c\/pitman-nj-srv-covid-vaccine' class='icon-button search-icon' target=\"_blank\">Vaccination Search<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When in-person services are available, here&#8217;s how to attend:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=25791' class='small-button smallpurple' target=\"_blank\">Covid Safety for Worship<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When in-person services are cancelled, &#8220;attend&#8221; via Live Stream:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=14867' class='small-button smallpurple' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Live Stream<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On Sunday Mornings, &#8220;go to church&#8221; virtually:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24413' class='small-button smallgreen' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday Connections<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you need any help in getting through this:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=21751' class='small-button smallred' target=\"_blank\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #000000;\">Help!\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Current Status of Virus in New Jersey&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/MapSeries\/index.html?appid=50c2c6af93364b4da9c0bf6327c04b45&amp;autoplay\" width=\"100%\" height=\"800px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>(Note: Click and Drag title to see next screen)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Life During the 2020-2021 Pandemic&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When the pandemic burst upon us in March of 2020, we initially experienced a string of announcements regarding events; things were very uncertain. We closed our building, and postponed, canceled, or moved events to an online format.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">During this period, we&#8217;ve been learning not only how to &#8220;get by&#8221; or to &#8220;make due&#8221;\u00a0 or to find ways to do the things we&#8217;ve always done.\u00a0 But we&#8217;ve also been discovering new ministries which can be offered without using our building.\u00a0 We can no longer simply invite people to attend events held in our church building.\u00a0 Instead, the church has been learning how to reach out to the broader community to meet them where they are, instead of requiring them to come to where the church is.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">This section has now become a historical record of how things have transpired during this period.\u00a0 Some day we&#8217;ll look back on this pandemic and be thankful for God&#8217;s protection and guidance&#8230;\u00a0 <br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Note:\u00a0 Many of the below headings are links.\u00a0 Click on the heading for more information about the event&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=27850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">6\/6\/21:\u00a0 Adult Sunday School Returns to Building!<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>The Potter&#8217;s Hand adult Sunday School class resumed meeting in the building before the worship service!\u00a0 The class was conducted both in person (in the Potter&#8217;s Hand Room) and via Zoom (using the room&#8217;s large screen TV).<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">6\/5\/21:\u00a0 Building Re-opens!<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The case numbers continue to drop and the vaccinations continue to rise.\u00a0 On May 22, the office made an announcement that we&#8217;ve all been waiting for:<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Beginning June 5, the building and grounds of Pitman United Methodist Church will be open for all groups, meetings, events, and activities.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Any group wishing to resume coming to PUMC, will be asked to read the\u00a0<em>Plan for Building and Campus Use<\/em>\u00a0(May 2021) and complete a Building Use Form. Both are available by contacting the church office at\u00a0<a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"mailto:office@pitmanumc.org\">office@pitmanumc.org<\/a>. PUMC is looking forward to opening its doors for use by the congregation and the community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For the Building Use Form, visit this page:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=630' class='icon-button people-icon' target=\"_blank\">Community Resources<span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/13\/21:\u00a0 In-Person Congregations Resume!<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As more and more of our members receive the vaccine, it was decided to resume &#8220;Limited In-Person Congregations&#8221; for our worship services.\u00a0 &#8220;In-Person&#8221; worship will begin on Sunday March 28 (Palm Sunday). The number of worshipers will be limited according to the conditions.\u00a0 To attend in person, you must register in advance so that we can ensure that the limit isn&#8217;t exceeded.\u00a0 Pastor Jim emailed the following announcement:<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>3\/13\/21 Announcement<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>Grace and Peace to each of you in the name of Jesus Christ!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It is with joy we announce that PUMC will have &#8220;in person&#8221; worship again beginning on Palm Sunday, March 28. We will also have in person worship on Maundy Thursday at 7:00pm, Good Friday at 7:00pm, and Easter Sunday at 10:15am.<\/p>\n<p>While there are those who still do not feel comfortable attending in person worship at this point, please know that you will still be able to worship via the live stream each Sunday at 10:15am. There are those who are anxious to return to in person worship.\u00a0\u00a0At this point to start, we will welcome 50 worshippers at each service (this is 50 people in the pews and does not include members of the Tech Team, Praise Team, Ushers, or Pastor).\u00a0 As we return to in person worship we will continue the safety practices advised by the CDC, the Insurance Company, Bishop, and what we were doing during the first return to in person worship back in October.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Who Should Attend&#8230;<\/span> <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Persons experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or who are feeling unwell should not attend in-person worship. Persons who have been exposed, or may have been exposed, to someone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have tested positive for the virus within the past 14 days of a given Sunday should not attend in-person worship.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When You Arrive&#8230;<\/span> <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>All attending worship will need to sign waivers (like before) as instructed by the Church Insurance Company.\u00a0\u00a0 Seating will be on the main floor and not the balcony, for now.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">During the Service&#8230;<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>All persons will be masked for the entire service (the exception being the Praise Team and Pastor when singing\/speaking. Social distancing will be practiced when inside of the church building. This means remaining at least 6 feet apart from those not part of your family unit. Restrooms are available on the first floor next to the coat room.\u00a0 .\u00a0 There shall be no \u201cpassing of the peace\u201d or similar expressions of greeting. Offering plates will be available for offerings for your convenience as you enter or depart the sanctuary.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Many of these things may be reviewed and adjusted as needed as things continue to change based on the guidelines of the CDC and recommendations of the Governor and Bishop. Please be sure to call the church office (856) 589-8313 and schedule your attendance each week, for now. Please be sure to call during the week but before 2:00pm on Fridays<\/p>\n<p>Please Note: Even as we gather for in person worship, all services will continue to be live streamed as we have been doing. This is an exciting time! I look forward to seeing many of you and worshipping in person again! Stay safe! Stay strong!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Keep the faith!\u00a0 God is Good!<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Pastor Jim<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993366;\">12\/20\/20:\u00a0 In-Person Congregations Suspended<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>After a lull during the summer and early Fall, the case and hospitalization numbers continued to rise.\u00a0 On December 18, it was reported that 3,582 people were in hospital due to Covid, and the total death toll in NJ was 18,124.\u00a0 Several cases have hit the PUMC family, and it became more and more clear that even our limited\u00a0 in-person worship was posing an unacceptable risk to the community.\u00a0 Therefore, we decided to heed the warnings and to suspend in-person worship for the time being.\u00a0 When the numbers improve, we will resume to permit a congregation.\u00a0 In the meantime, all services will continue to be broadcast on our Live Stream.<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Pastor Jim&#039;s Announcement Letter<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Sisters and Brothers in Christ, <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">I hope this finds each and everyone of you well as we continue our journey through Advent. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The numbers of the pandemic, especially in this area since Thanksgiving, are concerning and continue rising. As a Pastor, my main concern is always for the safe and healthy well being of all under my care. <span style=\"background-color: #ccffcc;\"><span style=\"color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">After closely watching the numbers of these infected, encouragement\u00a0and support of the Bishop and the District Superintendent, and much prayer,\u00a0<\/span>this Sunday, December 20, 2020, will be the last Sunday for in person worship for now.<\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">We will continue to have live worship each Sunday via our <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=14867\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">live stream<\/a>. Please be sure to tune in each Sunday.\u00a0\u00a0We will continue as we did in the Spring with the talents of our amazing Tech Team and members of the Praise Team. The bell choir will play the remaining, previously scheduled dates of Sunday, December 20, and Christmas Eve. Remember, if you know of someone who does not have Internet access or computer access, we can have them join worship live each Sunday through the telephone. Please let the <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=619\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Church\u00a0Office<\/a> know if we can help with the telephone arrangements.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Many of us have had to make adjustments to our day to day routines and traditions for family celebrations.\u00a0 Remember, by being careful and making adjustments we make our best effort to be safe when this is over. We will make adjustments, once again, and we look forward to next year returning to all our normal traditions.\u00a0 One day, this will only be a memory and stories we will recall. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Friends, this will only be temporary. There is light at the end of the tunnel. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Hang in there. Stay strong and keep the faith. Stay safe and let&#8217;s be in prayer for each other!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Pastor Jim<\/span><\/em>\n<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #993366;\">12\/14\/20:\u00a0 On Line Bingo!<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Groups and committees continue to meet online, mostly using Zoom.\u00a0 On this evening, instead of &#8220;Zooming&#8221; committee meetings, we got together for some fun.\u00a0 Bingo cards were supplied and fired up Zoom to play Bingo together.\u00a0 Not only was it fun (no- no money was involved!), but it gave us a chance to see eachother and catch up with old friends who we haven&#8217;t seen since the pandemic started in March.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=25734\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">10\/18\/20:\u00a0 Worship Service Opens to Limited Congregation<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>After a successful\u00a0 &#8220;dry run&#8221; on 10\/11, it was decided to begin opening the worship service to a limited congregation of 25 people.\u00a0 Reservations were required (on a first come first served basis).\u00a0 Mask wearing, no singing, social distancing, and other safety requirements will be enforced.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=25653\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">9\/28\/20:\u00a0 Council Approves Trustee&#8217;s Safety Plan<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>The Trustees developed a Safety Plan which would enable a congregation to attend our worship service (currently &#8220;Live Stream Only&#8221;).\u00a0 It was brought to a vote before the Administrative Council and approved.\u00a0 The plan didn&#8217;t open the sanctuary to worship, but permitted Pastor Jim to invite a congregation to the service at his discretion) following the Safety Plan.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">8\/16\/20: Trustees to Re-Evaluate Closure Status in November<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>In light of the continued spread of the virus, the Trustees voted to extend the building closure until at least November 1.\u00a0 The decision was announced during the Live Stream service,\u00a0 and the Trustees distributed a letter describing the rational.\u00a0 Open the below Drop Down box to view this letter. <div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Trustees 8\/15\/20 Announcement<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p><div class=\"wp-block-pdfemb-pdf-embedder-viewer\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/PUMC-Fall-2020-Letter.pdf\" class=\"pdfemb-viewer\" style=\"width:550px;\" data-width=\"550\" data-height=\"max\" data-toolbar=\"both\" data-toolbar-fixed=\"on\">PUMC Fall 2020 Letter<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">8\/7\/20:\u00a0 Circle of Friends Ministry Reaches Out to All Members<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>During the pandemic, the Internet has become our lifeline.\u00a0 Team meetings, Small Groups, and even the Sunday morning worship service depend on a computer and Internet connection.\u00a0 But not everyone &#8220;does computers&#8221; or has the equipment needed to keep in touch.\u00a0 Dial-in service has been established for our Live Stream so that anyone can listen to the services.\u00a0 Additionally, a &#8220;Pen Pals&#8221; ministry called &#8220;Circle of Friends&#8221; has been set up to reach out to those who are not connected to the church online.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">7\/14\/20:\u00a0 Zoom Training Made Available<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>During the pandemic, the online Zoom platform has become essential in our ability to hold team and small group meetings.\u00a0 But not everyone has used Zoom before, and most people have never set up a Zoom meeting or hosted one.\u00a0 In order to promote and strengthen our small groups, the church began offering training to show group members how to host a Zoom meeting.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=25094\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\">7\/7\/20:\u00a0 Creative Connections Ministry Begins<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>We&#8217;re missing each other!\u00a0 To help us to continue to &#8220;meet together&#8221; and &#8220;spur one another on to good deeds,&#8221; lay volunteers took turns at reading a devotional or giving a prayer and then posting a video on Facebook.\u00a0 Others recorded audio messages that could be heard on a special phone number.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">7\/4\/20:\u00a0 Parking Lot Open on Fourth of July!<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>&#8220;Normally&#8221; our parking lot is closed on the morning of July 4 so that we can serve as the ending point of the annual parade.\u00a0 Unfortunately, our parking lot remained opened this year: Because of the dangers associated with spreading the virus, this year&#8217;s 4th July parade had to be cancelled.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">6\/30\/20:\u00a0 PUMC \/ UMW Help Pack Summer Lunches<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>For the past couple of years, the Presbyterian Church has led an effort to provide free lunches to needy children during the summer vacation (to replace the lunch they would have received in school).\u00a0 This year, relief funding allowed us to provide that service to all children in the community.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #800000;\"><a style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24660\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">6\/22\/20:\u00a0 Vacation Bible School Hits the Track Running!<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Our 2020 VBS was conducted using Live Stream.\u00a0 We met for an hour each afternoon and learned how Jesus&#8217; power helps us do hard things, gives us hope, helps us be good friends, and gives us eternal life.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #800000;\"><a style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">6\/7\/20: Potter&#8217;s Hand Class Meets Online<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Our adults Sunday School class, &#8220;Potter&#8217;s Hand&#8221; began using Zoom to hold &#8220;virtual meetings&#8221; every Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><a style=\"color: #800000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24660\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">5\/20\/20:\u00a0 Registration for VBS Opens<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Our Christian Education team designed a &#8220;Virtual&#8221; Vacation Bible School which will be held via Live Stream during the week of June 22 through 26.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24332\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\">5\/13\/20:\u00a0 Men&#8217;s Fellowship Releases Virtual Retreat<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>The Men&#8217;s April 2020 retreat was canceled, but the retreat speaker produced a series of videos presenting the message that was prepared for the retreat.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24555\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\">5\/11\/20:\u00a0 OFH Celebrates Graduation with Drive By<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>Our preschool celebrated the graduation of the pre-K class of 2020 by forming a parade which drove through each child&#8217;s neighborhood, distributing personalized Congratulations lawn signs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">5\/4\/20:\u00a0 Blood Drive<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>PUMC hosted an American Red Cross blood drive in our Fellowship Hall.\u00a0 The building continues to be closed, but this exception was made (the need for blood continues despite the pandemic).\u00a0 The Red Cross\u00a0 created hospital like conditions in our hall and sanitized everything after the event.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24815\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\">5\/3\/20:\u00a0 UMW sets up &#8220;Soap &amp; Such&#8221; Mini-Pantry<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24660\">The UMW pla<\/a>ced a box outside our building to share toiletry items with the community.\u00a0 &#8220;Take what you need, give what you can.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">4\/27\/20:\u00a0 OFH Cancels Remainder of &#8217;19-&#8217;20 Year<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>It had been expected as a likely outcome, but Our Father&#8217;s House officially announced that the rest of the school year has been cancelled.\u00a0 &#8220;Virtual&#8221; opportunities continue, but we will not meet in the church until (hopefully!) September.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24343\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;\">4\/25\/20:\u00a0 Sunday School Goes Online<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Youth leaders Kate and Lance Bird took to Facebook Live and created an online Sunday School to be presented at 9:45 (1\/2 hour before the Live Stream worship service starts).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24534\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #800000;\">4\/19\/20:\u00a0 Mother&#8217;s Day Service Features Videos<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>Our Mother&#8217;s Day service was held via Live Stream only.\u00a0 The service was a presentation of our favorite songs and hymns, and two videos were produced showing the &#8220;virtual Joy-Filled Junior Choir&#8221; and a slideshow of Mom&#8217;s and families.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=24515\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">4\/12\/20:\u00a0 Easter Service<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>Our Annual Easter Egg hunt was cancelled, but we held online services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.\u00a0 And it&#8217;s estimated that at least 260 people watched our Live Stream Easter service.\u00a0 The Easter service included a slide presentation of &#8220;selfies&#8221; sent in by PUMC&#8217;ers, it ended with a recording of the Hallelujah Chorus from our 2017 presentation of the Messiah.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/31\/20:\u00a0 Our Father&#8217;s House Teaches Online<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>OFH started conducting short lessons via a private facebook page.\u00a0 Handouts were also distributed using a &#8220;drive through,&#8221; and the kids learned about things like the sound of the letter &#8220;W&#8221;&#8230; &#8220;Wacky Wednesday!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/24\/20:\u00a0 Smile Today Meetings go Virtual<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As the social distancing requirements increase, the NA Smile Today group will not meet in the church for the time being.\u00a0 Instead, they are moving to a &#8220;virtual meeting&#8221; format.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/16\/20:\u00a0 Building CLOSED to all Activities<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Due to the current pandemic, Pitman United Methodist Church will be closed to all outside groups, other than the Smile Today (NA support group) beginning Tuesday, March 17, through and including, Saturday, March 28.\u00a0 All church groups, including committees and the like, are prohibited from using the building during this time period.\u00a0 We encourage those wishing to meet outside of our building to follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization and state and local government.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This was a very difficult decision for the Trustees to make, but we are committed to doing our part to stop the spread of the Corona virus\u00a0and contribute to the good health of our congregation, neighbors, and friends.\u00a0 We have reviewed scientific evidence which shows the importance of social\u00a0distancing to flatten the curve of the spread of this virus.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">We realize we are approaching a very holy and active season of the liturgical calendar.\u00a0 Our hope is that our facilities will be available in time for the Pre-Palm Sunday Cantata and all Holy Week observations and activities, but we, simply, are not certain.\u00a0 The fluidity of the circumstances limits our ability to make any definite plans.\u00a0 We will continue to monitor the situation and review our decisions.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thank you for your understanding.\u00a0 We wish you peace and love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/15\/20:\u00a0 Pastor Jim Announces that In-Person Worship is Suspended<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>As the pandemic impinged more and more into our lives, Pastor Jim emailed the the difficult announcement that our worship services would be suspended as an in-person event, and that worship would happen only by our Live Stream.\u00a0 He also offered words of encouragement to help guide us through the pandemic&#8230;\u00a0 <br \/>\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Message from Pastor Jim<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><p><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Friends,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>All of us are aware of the coronavirus, also known as, COVID-19, which is impacting the entire world. I am sure that there are many questions and perhaps even fears over this. Be assured that Pitman United Methodist Church is following the steps that are recommended by professionals and will stay abreast of new information as it is released. We can be grateful that our Facility Manager, Bruce Pote, has been using approved disinfectant and wiping everything down, including door handles, pews, rest rooms, high traffic areas, etc&#8230;, The staff of Our Fathers House (our preschool) is doing the same thing.<\/p>\n<p>Much information about the virus and how to deal with it has been received from our Bishop, our District Superintendent, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO), as well as local officials. At the bottom of this email there are links which may help you in being informed and knowing the facts of this virus. {<em>see the buttons at the top of this page&#8230;<\/em>}<\/p>\n<p>Obviously, the health, safety, and well-being of the entire PUMC family, church members, visitors, and all who use the church are of the highest priority. Of special concern are those who are the most vulnerable to this virus.<\/p>\n<p>That said, this Sunday, <strong>March 15<\/strong>, our two in-person worship services have been cancelled. However, a worship service will be available through <strong>Live\u00a0Stream only<\/strong>. In an effort to do our part to keep people safe, we are asking all to enjoy worship from the comfort of your own home. You can participate in worship through our innovative <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=14867\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">live\u00a0stream<\/a> found on the church website. \u00a0 The service will begin at <strong>10:15am<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, my Tuesday small group Bible Studies are cancelled until Easter. At that time we will reevaluate. I am also asking that all small groups suspend their meetings until after Easter, unless your group meets electronically.\u00a0 More information about meetings and future worship services during this crisis will be arriving over the next couple of days.<\/p>\n<p>I would like to say that while these are challenging days, yet we worship a God who is mighty indeed! God is in the midst of this situation and will guide us through this time. The Scriptures are clear, \u201c<em>I will never leave you or forsake you<\/em>\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=hebrews+13%3A5-6&amp;version=TLB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hebrews 13:5c<\/a>). We can maintain calm in the midst of uncertain days because through Christ, our God is with us. To borrow from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elyrics.net\/read\/h\/hymn-lyrics\/because-he-lives-lyrics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Gaither<\/a>, \u201c<em>Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stay strong! Keep the faith! We\u2019re going to be fine. God is walking with us. Be sure to take care of yourselves and each other during this crisis. Let us also be in prayer for each other.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Grace and Peace,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em>Pastor Jim<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/15\/20: \u00a0 Soup Delivery<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The Mary Circle held a soup fundraiser, and the soup was originally supposed to be available between services on Sunday 3\/15.\u00a0 Since the service has been moved to Live Stream only, we will have a &#8220;Drive Through&#8221; instead. \u00a0 For individuals who ordered soup, members of the Mary Circle will be at the church kitchen on\u00a0 Sunday (3\/15) to bag up the orders and provide curbside delivery.\u00a0 Drive up to the kitchen \/ Fellowship Hall doors, stay in your car, and you&#8217;ll be greeted by a friendly face who will stand at least 1 meter away from you and hand you some delicious soup (after making sure that you placed an order of course&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p>There will be two pick up times, and each will last for about a 1\/2 hour:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>9:00 AM<\/li>\n<li>Following the end of the Live Stream (11:00&#8217;ish depending on how long the sermon is&#8230;)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are unable to drive to the church, contact the UM Women to arrange for delivery (email <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"mailto:UMW@PitmanUMC.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UMW@PitmanUMC.org<\/a><\/span>).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/12\/20:\u00a0 Greater NJ Conference Website Announcements<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Cancellations\/postponements of events throughout the Greater NJ Annual Conference are now being announced on the GNJ website.\u00a0 Ust this button to view:\u00a0\u00a0 <br \/>\n<a href='https:\/\/bit.ly\/3cTVtK7' class='icon-button warning-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Event Announcements<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #800000;\">3\/12\/20: Bishop Schol&#8217;s Message<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Bishop John Schol posted a message on the Greater NJ Conference website regarding the virus.\u00a0 As part of that message, he announced that several events (including the 3\/21 Rise Against Hunger) will be postponed.\u00a0 Click the below button to view the bishop&#8217;s message:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br \/>\n<a href='https:\/\/bit.ly\/2WeCq7D' class='icon-button warning-icon' target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bishop Schol- Coronavirus Updates<\/span><span class='et-icon'><\/span><\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">=\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 =<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow - Worship Song With Lyrics\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oPW9xYEyijQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As vaccinations rise and daily case numbers decline, we have reached a transition period from the Coronavirus to a new period of &#8220;normal.&#8221;  But we continue to move cautiously to adapt to the current conditions.  This post gives updates of the status of the virus along with look back at where we&#8217;ve been.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23793"}],"version-history":[{"count":131,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27935,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23793\/revisions\/27935"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}