ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Service Personnel: Please keep the following service personnel in your prayers at this special time of year: Joshua Taylor, Seth Garner,Justin Lovellette, Anthony Rauch, Ruth Rauch.

The following is a notice from the Spiritual Council of Zion:

In-person services and Live streaming continue each Sunday, at 10 a.m.

We continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation with regard to in-person services and meetings. Please watch this website and your emails for current information. In the event that Adams County is placed in "code red" status by the Board of Health, in-person services and activities will be temporarily cancelled. We will continue to present our Sunday morning service  via live-stream and tape at 10 a.m. We ask that you all continue to be vigilant and do what you can to remain safe.

We  recognize many of our church family will be severely impacted financially during this time of crisis. We encourage you to utilize the many resources available as far as food and financial help and know that our members will continue to support and look out for our neighbors, families, and community.

It is also critical that we continue to contribute financially  to Zion during these times of cancelled services. Our expenses continue regardless of the tithes and offerings coming in and we ask  those who are able to mail in your regular offering. There are also many banks who offer bill pay services at no cost. The mail is monitored daily. For those who are not able to do so, we understand your difficulties. Zion has shown time and time again that our faith is strong and we can do all things through Christ. Thank you to all those who have made  contributions. It is much appreciated. Please continue to mail or drop them off when possible.

Please see the following letter from our Health Department and act accordingly. There will be NO in person services this Sunday, December 6th. Live streaming will begin at 10 a.m.

ADAMS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

313 W. JEFFERSON ST. - SUITE 314

DECATUR, INDIANA 46733-1660

OFFICE: (260) 724-5326 ADAMS CO. HEALTH OFFICER:

FAX: (260) 724-5328 MICHAEL AINSWORTH, M.D.

[email protected] PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE DIRECTOR

www.adams-county.com HOLLY DEGITZ, R.N.

December 1, 2020

TO: Northern Adams County Ministerial Association

South Adams Ministerial Association

Catholic Churches of Adams County

FROM: Adams County Health Department

RE: COVID-19 precautions

As many of you may be aware from the local newspapers, recently the Adams County Health Department met with many of the elected officials in the County along with the cities and towns of Decatur, Berne, Geneva and Monroe. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a unified approach to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Adams County.

One of the suggestions that came out of that meeting was that the Health Department make contact with the local ministerial associations, first to thank the local pastors and their congregations for all that they have done throughout this time to help reduce the spread of the virus, and also to ask that the pastors to continue to remind their members of the importance of everyone continuing to take precautions necessary to keep the virus from overwhelming our health care facilities.

We all realize that many people are becoming very tired and even depressed as the virus continues, especially now that we are in the holidays. We are grateful for what the local Churches have been doing for these many months in requiring social distancing and wearing face coverings while in attendance at services, as well as providing services on-line. We are hopeful that a brief message from the pulpit will help to remind all of us of the need to stay vigilant for ourselves and our fellow person.

The congregants of the local churches often serve as witnesses to those in the community of the importance of caring for one another through these difficult times by continuing to exercise social distancing, limiting the size of gatherings, and wearing appropriate face coverings

We would ask that those currently in leadership roles of the local ministerial associations to please share this letter with local pastors.

Again, we want to thank all of the churches for their continued assistance.

Sincerely,

Adams County  Health Department

Anyone would like to receive the Sacrament of Home Communion who is not a regular recipient, or anyone who would like to have a home visit is asked to contact the church office (724-3502), and the necessary arrangements will be made.

We continue our celebration of Advent next Sunday. Join us in-person or virtually as we prepare for the upcoming birth of our Savior.

Official Board meeting has been moved to Wednesday, December 9 due to conflicts with several members. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and both current and incoming members are asked to attend;

Bell Ringers Needed:

Christmas season is just around the corner, which means it is time for the red kettles and bell ringers of the Salvation Army. There are 3 locations here in Decatur where volunteers are needed, starting Friday, November 27, and ending Christmas Eve. Any one of any age can ring the bells. Please call Jessica Thieme at the United Way office (724-2056) or Sharon Rich (724-9664) to schedule a time. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and all the money stays in Adams County.