13 March 2020

Beloved Saguaro,

These are unprecedented days, friends. The coronavirus is a serious concern. We feel the weight of this crisis. We covet your prayers as we faithfully determine how to be church in this moment.

At Saguaro Christian Church, we have a clear mandate to protect our community’s most vulnerable.  It is embedded in “Love God, your neighbor and yourself.” Our church leaders are monitoring the pandemic daily. Please know that we are gathering our information from medical, governmental and denominational leaders. Our goal in our decision making is to flatten the curve of this pandemic through social distancing, to protect the most at-risk within our community and to still reflect our values as church. We believe that our faith will overcome this distance and fear of this moment.  

After considerable deliberation, Saguaro will be SUSPENDING our in-person ministry life. 

What does this mean?

  1. Sunday Worship: There will be a single live-streamed worship service on Sunday mornings (10am) until further notice. Details forthcoming. 

  2. Care of the most vulnerable:  A Care Team is being developed and charged with the ministry of reaching out to our homebound, elderly and sick church members in order to check on their spiritual, mental and emotional well-being during this uncertain season. Please let the church office know if you would be willing to serve on this team. Home communion and hospital & rehabilitation visitations are currently suspended until further notice.  All feeding ministries and SICP will continue.

  3. Program Life of Saguaro: Two-week suspension of all music and small group programs. 

  4. Church Administration: The church administrative office and all meetings will be working from home utilizing Zoom, an online video conferencing. 

These were all difficult decisions, but we pray they are only temporary. We value prudence over panic.  We will continue to reevaluate this situation as it changes.

This pandemic is testing the relational boundaries of communities.  Be church in this moment. Be kind to all. Find sacredness overcoming the fear. Check on your loved ones. Pray for everyone touched by this situation. 

Peace and grace,

Rev. Owen Chandler

Rev. Kelley Dick