COVID-19 Letter from Pastor Kathy

Dear Norman and Davenport Members and Friends,

Allow me to connect with you to join in the important conversation that is swirling thoughout our country and world about the COVID-19 virus. As your interim Pastor, along with your leadership we have been and will continue to prayerfully discern proper steps to ensure we are following best practices in our faith communities during this season of sickness. I have been in conversation with other church leaders and sought the advice of medical experts from our community.

Here is our congregational response plan that I would like to share with you.

1. We will suspend the shaking of hands during the sharing of the peace. Our smiles and waves will fulfill this moment with each other.

2. As your pastor, I will no longer shake hands at the Sanctuary doors as people exit. I still covet and treasure your presence -- we'll just greet each other from a bit of a distance.

3. We will not pass the offering plate during worship. Offering baskets will be on a table at the entrance of the Sanctuary.

4. We will suspend Holy Communion until Maundy Thursday.

5. We will encourage individuals who are not feeling well to stay home and worship thru local radio or television broadcasts. I happen to know a great pastor at Messiah, in Fargo ND. (Pastor Matt is also a great snow skier-- thanks for allowing me the time to get away last week!) You may tune in to the Hour of Worship on channel 6 , WDAY at 11AM.

6. We will place hand sanitizer units around the building and encourage all of us to wash hands frequently.

7. We will increase the frequency of the cleaning and sanitizing of public spaces in the church.

8. Home visits and hospital visits will be suspended. We will continue to "love" our elders (and each other) thru our prayers, cards, and phone calls.

9. As your pastor, I will be doing most of my ministry with you thru the telephone for quite awhile. 😊 And please don't hesitate to call me: 701-238-3051.

IF a case of COVID-19 virus in confirmed within our community, our response will increase:

1. We will likely suspend the serving of food.

2. If the Kindred schools close, we will close our children's and youth ministry programs too.

IF there is a confirmed case here at church we will:

1. Suspend all worship at both locations.

2. Provide regular devotions thru email only.

3. Cancel any meetings taking place in our facilities.

Tomorrow Madi Miller will be with us as our guest speaker. Madi serves with Youth With A Mission. She has been home on leave for one month from Thailand and the Philippines. She has NO symptoms, and has been tested for fever, etc. during her travels. We look forward to hearing of her witness of faith.

I was blest to play in the mountains of Red Lodge, MT. last week, at a small family ski resort. I return to you renewed and refreshed, thank you. I will NOT be traveling to Israel this spring, due to the risk involved. Perhaps next spring, 2021 we will be able to go.

Throughout these days, I will stay in close contact with the Cass County Health Department and the Kindred Public Schools. I will communicate with you if/when the stages progress through our email. Please know this was not written in a spirit of panic or overreaction, but we bear the responsibility of being prepared for best practices that allow us to continue to live into our mission together as a church in these uncertain times. I would be remiss if I did not thank you for how you continue to support the ministry of God's church thru your generous offerings. If you are unable to worship in person, you may mail your offerings to your church treasurers.

Davenport Lutheran Church

Treasurer Dave Christianson

PO Box 212

Davenport, ND 58021

Norman Treasurer address

Rick Wilson

16455 49th St. SE

Kindred, ND 58051

I ask you to please continue to pray, -- and continue to wash your hands!

Pastor Kathy

Interim Pastor