March 13th, 2020

Dear Friends,

What a strange time we find ourselves in!  In Esther 4:14, Esther’s uncle Mordecai says to her, “For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” 
 
It is a unique time to communicate, be informed, make decisions, and take courage and exercise our faith.
 
Although there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Santa Barbara County, we want to be prepared, and we want you to be informed. We care for your well-being and safety, and your church is here for you. Thus, we encourage you to be engaged in discussions, and take precautions to keep yourself and others safe.

With regards to our facilities, we have requested our cleaning company JanPro, which cleans twice a week, to do some extra sanitizing including hand railings and door knobs and door handles. They use a product called EnviroShield, which is an electrostatic spray. It is a non-toxic, safe antimicrobial agent.

While we are working to keep our facility sanitized, there are additional actions to take to prevent the spread of the flu or coronavirus:
 

• Stay home when you or family members are sick. 
• Avoid hand shakes and hugs. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Or use hand sanitizers.
• Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or your arm.
• Do not touching your face so often.
• If you attended a high-alert area, consider not attending services until the 14-day time-frame has been observed.
• Use hand sanitizer that we have available.

 
Two weeks ago, we stopped our Showers of Blessings ministry until further notice. Today, March 12, we decided to postpone Acts the musical and also cancelled the Living Last supper. We hope to present the musical sometime in May or June.
 
Knowing that this crisis may dramatically affect Sunday services, we are providing a streaming option for you on Sunday mornings. Check out our facebook page at Santa Maria First United Methodist Church, our website:  santamariafumc.net, or find us on youTube by typing in our church name. Also we are making the sermon manuscript via e mail available upon request.
 
In addition, other aspects of our flow of operations will be affected so we are working on a proposal to make online giving an option. We would encourage you to mail in your offering if you won’t be attending church.

As a people of faith, let us pray:
 

• not to be overcome by fear and panic.

Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

• for those who have been directly impacted—those tested positive, those hospitalized, those in quarantine, those who can’t be in the presence of family members and loved ones due to imposed restrictions.
• for health care workers and responders.
• for scientists working on vaccines, treatments.
• for calm, civility, and respectful behavior.
• for hope and courage. May we not lose sight that our hope is in the power of God and the need to provide comfort to the distressed.

Pastor Bob