First Presbyterian Church of Newark

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As we begin to see some Bay Area counties easing restrictions, reopening businesses and beginning to allow public gatherings, including worship services, you may be wondering when we will be able to gather in our sanctuary to worship together in person again.

Our special task force has been hard at work over the past several months educating themselves and Session on the rules, regulations and safety measures necessary to reopen safely. Alameda County is still “strongly

encouraging places of worship to continue providing virtual/remote offerings that do not require congregants or visitors to gather in-person.” So, while you may begin to see other churches offering in-person services, our Session has weighed this decision thoughtfully and carefully, and has voted to wait until we are confident that we can do so safely. We are revisiting this decision each month.

If you would like more information on the work of the Task Force and / or the measures we must take when we do decide to open our doors agin, you can read the full SSP report here or contact the Task Force Chair, Barb Miller at (510) 797-8811.

As difficult as it is to not be gathering together at our church, we can take comfort in reminding ourselves that the church is not a building of stone, but believers who are living stones make up God’s temple (1 Pet. 2:5). So, even though we are not together physically, we can still act as one community to love God, build up others, and share our faith.

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