Covid Update

Dear Higher Way Church Family,

September 2, 2020

There are some positive indicators in our community effort to reduce the spread of the COVID 19 virus since the wildfire spread following the Fourth of July festivities. While we welcome this positive news we must remain vigilant remembering the virus has not gone away.

 
There are many small, mostly rural, UM Churches that have never closed their doors. Their size and level of community spread allowed them to conclude they are responsibly able to worship in person. Churches in Houston, Harris and Fort Bend Counties are all over the place. Sugar Land UMC opened in June, First Methodist Houston plans to open in October along with a large number of other congregations. There are others like Bering Memorial that are not ready to open now. In short we are all over the place.
 
We surveyed you in June to gage your comfort level with in person worship. The overwhelming response was that July was not the right time. We are now preparing our building to be ready for some form of in person worship, based on data from the Texas Medical Center, CDC, and John Hopkins University. There is not a date certain but rather an operational and aspirational date that makes us prepared to pivot and return to worship as soon as it is determined to be safe. We will be adaptable and we are prepared to wait as long as it takes to be as safe as humanly possible.
 
We believe that following the Labor Day Holiday, the State of Texas reopening guidelines, and the start of all schools by the 3rd week of October, will go a long way in helping us understand the best decisions for our congregation.
 
Worship and safety are so important and contrary to what many have implied they are not opposed to one another. So I am encouraging you to continue to do your part and know that together we will get past this season of separation stronger and more dedicated to the cause of Jesus Christ than ever before. Remember to "Subscribe" to our YouTube Channel at youtube.com/thehigherwaychurch and "Like" our Facebook Page at facebook.com/thehigherwaychurch for important updates.
 
 
In His Name,
Pastor Levingston