COVID-19 Policy Update

Good morning, New Eden family and friends. 

Each of you has been incredibly gracious as we seek to navigate uncharted territory surrounding COVID-19. As leaders, we are not health experts, but we have done our best to stay informed while making decisions that affect us as a church family. Once we have made those decisions, we have sought to communicate with clarity and humility. You all have responded to our requests with incredible grace and unity, and for that, we are so grateful.

Moving forward, we are ceasing our group policies, suggestions, and communication regarding COVID-19.
*If risk factors rise in our county, this could change.

This decision does not mean that we are pretending COVID-19 has gone away or that it hasn't caused severe complications and even death for people you love. We are incredibly sensitive and empathetic toward that reality.

However, we believe that the need for group guidance is no longer necessary, as it was in the earlier days of COVID-19. Along with the determining factors we have always used, we made this choice with a couple of things in mind. First, along with health experts, we are optimistic about the inability of the virus to cause severe or fatal health issues on a mass scale in the future. And secondly, suggested responses to COVID-19 have only become more varied and diverse the longer the virus has existed, and to be honest, we are struggling to keep up and stay informed. 

As long as space allows, we will still provide a socially distanced and mask-only section for those who would like it. But beyond that, we will leave decisions up to each of you.

As individuals and members of Christ's church, our only ask is that each of you would lead out with respect for each other. To this point, you all have displayed humility and love, and you have outdone one another in showing honor. We have complete confidence that this will continue, even without group policies. If you need guidance regarding how this might look in the day-to-day life of the church, please reach out to one of the elders, and we would love to have that conversation.

Again, we are incredibly grateful for this church family. If you have any concerns or questions, please know that we are available and approachable. We love you.

Joel McCarty
on behalf of the elders