Note: This is the original statement Pastor Scott made at the beginning of the Pandemic.  For current updates, please see our Ministry in the Pandemic: Covid-19 Updates document.

The staff members of Wesley United Methodist Church are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for worship, education, service, and ministry. In the light of recent global, regional, and local events we are implementing the following recommendations:

• Keep your hands washed. (Our four-year old grandson articulates it this way: "Put on the soap. Wash the inside- wash the outside- check your nails- sing the ABC's -rinse well.")
• Use the hand sanitation stations found in our building.
• Greet others with a smile, wave, elbow bump, but not a handshake.
• For the time being we will serve Holy Communion with individual cups only. (Our stewards prepare the elements with protective gloves) Pastors will be handing out the bread as you come forward (they will sanitize their hands prior to beginning this liturgy).
• Stay home and rest if you are not feeling well to avoid spreading germs.
• Wesley Church continues to implement a Safe Sanctuary Policy. We ask all adult teachers/assistants who work with youth and children to complete a background check with our office. We use an open-door policy and require two teachers to be present in each room.
• Our Board of Trustees continue to pursue changes that will help to provide a hospitable and safe environment for the ministries of Wesley Church.

This Healthy-Safe Church policy will continue to be adapted according to the recommendations of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control. It is my hope as your Senior Pastor to encourage your relationship to Jesus Christ and to your Wesley Church family.

God bless,
Pastor Scott

Updated: 3/18/2020