Events
Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
January 2022
Masks are suggested for those who are unvaccinated, but not required.
August 3, 2021
Due to the rise of COVID-19 cases with the Delta variant, masks are suggested in worship again until Whitley County is no longer in the red zone on the CDC map.
June 6, 2021
As more and more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, others having a limited immunity after having the virus, and mask requirements loosening, it was time to reevaluate our policies and programs. A survey was taken in May with 74 responses of those 12 and older in our congregation. Every response came from an active participant in the life of our church. Of those responding, 89% are fully vaccinated or are in the process. Still others who have recently had COVID-19 are not able to get vaccinated for 90 days.
In recent weeks, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stated that those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks. Many businesses have since dropped their mask requirements. However, masks are still to be worn by those who have not been vaccinated for their own protection.
The Church Board reviewed all of the responses and comments of the survey as well as the current CDC guidelines at their meeting on Tuesday, June 1. After careful consideration and many prayers, the following changes are being made in response to precautions for COVID-19:
Worship – The survey helped identify that some people would feel safer to have at least a section of the sanctuary socially distanced and with masks. So beginning Sunday, June 13, the lower portion of the sanctuary as you enter (the side the piano and pulpit are located), will continue to have ropes sectioning off every other pew to be used for seating. This is also the area where masks are to be worn for those who have not been vaccinated or merely wish to wear a mask. The other side of the lower part of the sanctuary and the balcony will no longer have ropes and you will not need to wear a mask. Singing was one aspect that was brought up in the board’s discussion regarding masking, but again based on the CDC guidelines, those who have already been vaccinated carry a very low risk from passing or contracting COVID-19. Also, we are all facing the same direction while singing which helps lessens the likelihood of passing the virus. However to make others feel safer and protect children under 12, we request those who have not yet been vaccinated to continue to wear a mask. Also, as has been the case since March 2020, worship will be livestreamed on our church Facebook page each Sunday.
Sunday School – in-person Sunday School will restart on Sunday, June 20. Nurture Commission is working on finalizing Sunday School teachers and classes. The plan is to continue all Sunday School classes that were meeting prior to March 2020. Those include four children’s classes: Primary, Middler, Junior High, and Senior High classes in the children’s department; and four adult classes: Young Adults, Journey of Faith, Elective, and TruthSeekers. Two additional classes are also being planned: a Nursery option for those children 3 and under and a Bible 101 class for adults which will go through the basics of the Bible. Masks will not need to be worn in Sunday School due to the smaller class sizes, although again, those who have not been vaccinated are advised to continue to wear a mask. The Journey of Faith class will include an online component for those who don’t yet feel comfortable attending in person.
Thank you to those who helped in this process by sharing from your heart. The church board will continue to monitor additional guidance from the CDC, the Whitley County Health Department, the Northern Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren, and each of you as we move forward in faith.
March 1, 2021
Worship will be held in our sanctuary and online beginning Sunday, March 7.
November 18, 2020
Due to Whitley County moving into higher cases of COVID-19, worship will be online only again until further notice.
November 2, 2020
Worship will be held in our sanctuary and online beginning November 8.
September 3, 2020
Beginning Sunday, September 13, weekly worship will be held at the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds at 10:00 a.m. Building repairs continue to be done on our church building. Check back here for further info on when our building may reopen.
August 1, 2020
We continue to have online worship available each Sunday. An outdoor worship has been planned for the last Sunday of each month during the summer. Due to continued work on our church following a large tree that fell on the building June 10, our use of the building continues to be delayed.
May 16, 2020
A Reopening Task Force is being put into place to identify what cleaning needs to occur, volunteers who are needed, and hear reactions of those in the church to determine when we will begin meeting again in our building. Worship will not occur in our church building until at least after the next Church Board meeting on June 8.
May 8, 2020
Although the governor of Indiana is now allowing churches to hold worship services in their buildings beginning today, our congregation has not put into place all of the precautions that the state is requiring. Our church board will meet via Zoom on Monday, May 11 to finalize a plan for reopening. Check back for further information following that time.
April 18, 2020
UPDATE: All events at the church have been canceled through May 1. Worship is being broadcast on our Facebook page and YouTube channel each Sunday. More info on where you can find our worship services, to donate online, and updates on rescheduling can be found on our website at https://www.cccob.net. Pastor Dennis Beckner will be checking in at the church office daily but will mostly be working from home. Calls to the church and emails will continue to be answered on a regular basis. Non-perishable food items are still being accepted at the church. Please call ahead to arrange a drop off time.
March 19, 2020
Dear Friends,
As the guidelines for public meetings continue to become stricter, we will not be holding worship in our building until further notice. We want to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by doing our part. The plan is for the next two Sundays (March 22 & 29) to have a recorded worship service available on our website at www.cccob.net/about/worship/. This is a new page on our website which is accessible to anyone who wants to view our ongoing worship series “Entering the Passion of Jesus.” We may go to a livestream available on other platforms in the future but are still investigating what will work best for us.
As more and more of you are spending more time at home and less time out and about, I want to offer some suggestions on how we can continue to lift each other up and sustain our own faith.
- Reaching out to each other – We need to stay connected. Remember not everyone at church is online. For those who do not have email or Facebook, we will plan to send out regular mailings about church updates. But you too can do your part in reaching out to each other as well. Send a card to someone different each week. Call someone from church and just chat for a while. The pastors of visitation and I will also be reaching out to different people each week.
- Equipping you with resources – If you have not been on our RightNow Media page, there are thousands of videos available for all ages. Watch VeggieTales, a Bible study, or a devotional. The church’s subscription allows everyone involved in our church access. Use your email address to create a log in for yourself. You can access RightNow Media through our website at https://www.cccob.net/ministry-tools/. Please contact me if you have difficulties in connecting.
- Offerings are still needed – Even though we’re not meeting in person doesn’t mean the work of the church stops. But without actually coming to the church for worship, we miss our regular offering time. If your financial situation hasn’t changed because of all of the changes in our lives due to the Coronavirus, I encourage you to continue tithing to the church. You may do that by sending a check to the church or give online. You can access our online giving by visiting our home page on our website at cccob.net and click on the blue button. Giving to the regular offering and Building Fund is especially important but I would also encourage you to consider giving to the Deacons Fund which is in place to help those who may have some financial issues.
- If you have a need – If you need food, someone to run errands, or are having issues financially, please contact one of the Deacons. We have volunteers who are willing to help those who are in need.
I pray that each of you continues to feel God’s presence as we continue to live in these uncertain times.
About Christ’s Work,
Pastor Dennis
March 14, 2020
Friends,
In light of recommendations from state officials and district & denominational staff surrounding COVID-19, we will begin limiting social contact this week. After conferring with the church board twice this week and talking to other churches in our area, here are some changes that will begin this week:
Worship will still be held at 10:00 March 15. These precautions/changes are being put into place:
- Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be available at each entrance/exit.
- People are encourage to wash hands regularly.
- Offering plates/baskets will be placed at the front and back of the sanctuary for you to place your offerings in during the offering time. Donations may also be made online or mailed into the church office.
- You are encouraged to greet each other verbally rather than with a handshake or hug.
- If you are sick, stay home please.
- Adults 70 and older and those with chronic health conditions are encouraged not to attend worship at this time as this is the most vulnerable group. It really is ok if you don’t come to church in these next weeks. God is still going to love you (and so will everyone else)!
As we are a venue of under 250 people and with no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Whitley County, most other churches our size in Whitley County will hold worship tomorrow. We will continue to monitor the situation as to whether we will continue to hold worship in person or online as the next couple weeks unfold. Stay tuned for continued updates each week.
However, all other activities and events will be canceled through the end of March. Many of these events entail more interaction than worship does. That means there will be no Sunday School and no Wednesday Evening Fellowship. The Lenten Bible Study will be postponed and will reconvene when it is deemed safe to reconvene.
Other meetings will also be canceled or rescheduled for a later time. This week that means the Youth & Parent meeting, Deacons meeting, Women’s Fellowship, and Men’s Fellowship Breakfasts are canceled. The newsletter deadline will still be this Thursday. People should email items to Lorele Yager.
I am compiling a list of ways we can be serving in Christ’s name during this time of change. I will be sharing items from this list in the next days and weeks. In the meantime, pray for our world and those who are making incredibly difficult decisions. Pray for health care workers and those in the service industry who cannot work from home. Together, we can continue to be the hands and feet of Christ just in new and different ways.
About Christ’s Work,
Pastor Dennis