Greetings!

I want to begin with a confession, preaching to an empty church feels like something out of the Twilight Zone. Unfortunately, there is no eerie music playing in the background and Rod Sterling is nowhere to be found; this pandemic is real, and it has upended almost every area of our lives. And because it is real, it is hard to write the next line. Our current plan is to not “reopen” FUMC Missouri City for in-person worship during the month of May. We will continue to offer online worship on Sunday morning at 10:30, which can be watched on Facebook or YouTube.

On April 27th, Governor Abbott signed an Executive Order permitting for churches to re-open in May. In the same press conference, the Governor asked churches to do as much as possible to offer worship remotely during Phase 1 of “Reopen Texas.”

In addition to what the Governor asked of us, Bishop Scott Jones requested all the churches that are part of the Texas Conference. The Bishop, under the guidance of Houston Methodist healthcare systems, is urging churches to continue online worship at least through the month of May. We will continue to get updates from the Conference and will pass them along to you when we receive them.

We know that not all churches will respond in the same way we are. But, after discussion with a number of our church folks and conversations within the staff, we believe this is the best way for us to proceed. I hope you understand none of your staff like the situation we are in. I think all of us are feeling Zoom and isolation fatigue and look forward to doing ministry together again…in person.

Every day, I have to remind myself that the church is not the building. I have to remind myself life together is not contingent on being physically with each other, as long as we continue to love one another. So, for the time being, we will continue to love at a distance. And we will remember that Captain and Tennille were right, “Love will keep us together…” After all, love never fails…

Breathe Peace

Marty