Connecting in a Time of Social Distancing

-A Message from Pastor Kathryn on behalf of the NSBC Pastoral Team

My beloved community,

We have entered a difficult and unprecedented time. In just one week, we have seen the COVID-19 Coronavirus labelled a pandemic, with restaurants and schools in the state of Illinois being ordered to close. On Monday, March 16, the federal government issued a recommendation against social gatherings over 10 people for the next 15 days. At NSBC, we will abide by this recommendation by suspending all in-person programming, including all of our traditional, in-person worship, through the end of March. As these two weeks continue, we will continue to monitor recommendations coming from the CDC and local officials, and we will keep you updated about programming.

As I preached on Sunday, physical distancing (staying home when possible, maintaining six feet of distance when away from home) is right now one of the best ways we can love our neighbor as we love ourselves. This includes neighbors we may never see or meet, but whose lives and wellbeing are dear to God.

While some limited office business will be conducted during the week, the church building will be completely closed on Fridays. If you have a pastoral care need at any time, please reach out to your congregational pastor or fill out this contact form.

While we will not be gathering in person, we will continue to connect virtually, even as we are connected in the Holy Spirit. Please continue to check Facebook for regular updates. We plan to make videos of English and Spanish worship available via YouTube on Sundays. The Karen Congregation will be posting videos and blogs, and the Japanese congregation is also discussing virtual gatherings. For questions about any of these services, please contact the pastor of that congregation (e-mail in full bio) or fill out this contact form. We also have two Facebook groups available to remain in communication: NSBC Members and Friends and Congregación Hispana de la Iglesia Bautista de North Shore.

Above all, if you know members of the community who do not have Internet access and cannot check Facebook or e-mail, please take extra care to reach out to them, see how they are doing, and make sure your pastor knows who they are and how to contact them.

Beloved, we are together in this. We are one in the Spirit, even as we pray that our physical unity may soon be restored. Please do not hesitate to reach out for anything you may need.