At Pantano, we take seriously your safety and health. With the coronavirus taking center stage in the news media, we understand your concerns and we want to make sure that those with health risks are protected the best we can. First, let me remind you of how YOU can help by taking these precautions to keep yourself and others safe. Then, I’ll share how we as a church are addressing this on our campuses.
Please be mindful of the guidance from the Arizona Department of Health and the CDC:
- Stay home when you or your children or students are sick. Remember that you can watch the Sunday message live at www.pantano.online or past messages at www.pantano.church/watch.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If you have traveled to a high-alert area (currently China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan – this list may grow), please observe the recommended 14-day self-quarantine and refrain from attending church events, classes, groups and services until the 14-day time-frame has been observed.
We are monitoring the status of the virus and are in touch with a virus expert (who happens to be a part of our church!). Here are the measures we are addressing or have added at our physical campuses:
- We have purchased additional hand sanitizing stations to be located all over both campuses.
- Communion (bread and juice) will be in self-contained pre-packaged cups.
- Our Kid’s ministry will increase their cleaning procedures for the classrooms. We already clean well, so we’ll just be adding more effort and diligence.
- We’ll have signs and verbally suggest that folks avoid handshakes and hugs at church during this season.
- We’ll prop open the main entrance doors for entry and exit to help people avoid touching door handles (except where security requires the doors closed).
- We’ll clean hard surfaces as often as we can with proven sanitizers.
- Printed handouts will be placed on tables rather than physically handed out.
- Should the outbreak become more prominent in our area, we have plans to take additional steps all the way up to and including canceling services and events.
- Please text “Pantano” to 31996 to receive notifications if we need to change or postpone services on physical campuses.
- We will also alert you if we need to cancel any events on our physical campuses including groups, classes, or large events.
The uncertainty of this outbreak is creating anxiety in our culture. Yet, we remain certain of God’s steadfast presence and careful attention to all that is happening. Please join us in praying for those who are affected by this illness, as well as their caregivers and those who are working around the clock to minimize the impact of this virus. In Psalm 46, we are reminded that it is God who is our refuge and strength, and our ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, let us be wise, but not fear, while we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a lost and broken world.
Glen Elliott
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