Announcement

As Winter approaches, our season of Front Lawn Gatherings is coming to a close. Additionally, we know that many of our Missional Communities are struggling to gather regularly, and especially so with the recent change in weather. 

Below is our plan for how we can encourage our MCs and the whole Karis family to gather in a way that is both meaningful and safe.

First, we’d like to share: our last Front Lawn Gathering will be on November 8th. 

Next, beginning the week of November 8th, we would like to, for a season, blur the lines between our Sunday Gatherings and MC Gatherings and introduce to you our new “Weekly Gatherings.” This means, after November 8th, there will be no Sunday Gatherings and no weekly MC Gatherings, for a season.

NEW: Weekly Gatherings

Our plan is to hold several small Weekly Gatherings inside the Main Auditorium at 606 Ridgeway. Again, these Gatherings will be replacing both our Sunday Gatherings and our weekly MC Gatherings. These Gatherings will be around 45 minutes long and will be limited to roughly 50 people each night. We’ll begin by offering four of these Gatherings each week. The days and times are:

·        Wednesday 5:30pm

·        Thursday 6:30pm

·        Friday 6:30pm

·        Saturday 10:00am

At each of these identical Gatherings, we’ll offer a short devotion, Psalm reading, communion, and prayer. We’ll also be offering a short lesson for kids.

Each week, you’ll be asked to register for one of these Gatherings. You can do so via the Church Center App or by visiting the events page at karischurch.org. We hope you attend with your MC, but we know schedules are not immune to these uncertain times, so come when you can.

We know you’ll have lots of questions, and we hope to answer many of them below. 

FAQs

What is the public health plan? Masks will be required at all times when not in your seat. For seating, we’ll alternate pews and require attendees to sit six feet from the aisle and from any other household. We’ll also disinfectant all high-contact areas before each Gathering. These measures, plus smaller, shorter Gatherings, ensure we’re taking every reasonable precaution to balance safety and meaningfulness as we get together. We’ll continue to follow the lead of our local health department and ask those who are considered at-risk to evaluate their risks carefully before deciding to attend.

Will there be singing? For the sake of public health, there will be no singing during these Gatherings. As our community makes progress in overcoming this pandemic, this is subject to change. However, we are excited to incorporate a Psalm reading into our Gatherings each week.

Is registration required? Yes – All members and regular attendees are asked to register each week for the Gathering they plan to attend. We strongly recommend using the Church Center App to do so. Registration for the Weekly Gatherings will open the Wednesday two weeks before each Weekly Gathering series, meaning registration opens on October 28th for the first Weekly Gathering series beginning November 11th.

Are friends and other guests welcome to attend? Absolutely. While we ask members and regular attendees to register each week, we will build in a buffer for our first-time guests. This will result in an attendance of as many as 60-65, well below the maximum capacity of 100 people in the Main Auditorium (when accounting for social distancing requirements). However, if you know of someone who is planning to join you, registering for them would be helpful to us, but we will not require it for first-time guests.

Will there be Karis Kids? Unfortunately, we cannot offer our traditional kids ministry at this time, as all Karis Kids classrooms remain closed for the safety of our children, their families, and our volunteers. However, children of all ages are welcome to attend the Weekly Gatherings, as we plan to incorporate a short kids video lesson each week.

How long will this be the plan? Honestly, we don’t know yet. We’ll continue to follow health department recommendations and city guidelines as they are updated. Our initial plan has this Gathering rhythm in place through the end of 2020. We’ll evaluate between now and then what January and beyond should look like. Stay tuned.

What if I can’t attend? Each week we’ll share a link to the Karis Kids video lesson and a recording of the devotion from the most recent Weekly Gathering. We’re also looking to put together other resources each week to help all households continue to be encouraged in their faith from home.

What else are we doing besides these Weekly Gatherings?  With no Sunday Gatherings and no weekly MC Gatherings, we’ll encourage everyone to consider three basic rhythms, in addition to attending one of these new Weekly Gatherings.

1.      Gather with your DNA Group. If you’re not in a DNA Group or don’t know what those are, talk to your MC Leader. If you’re not in a Missional Community (MC) and would like to be in one, visit our MCs page or email info@karischurch.org.

2.      Find ways to connect with your MC. Hopefully, you’ll see your MC each week at one of these Weekly Gatherings. Get creative and find other ways to connect. Start a Facebook group, reserve some space at Ridgeway for a small, socially distanced party, or hop on Zoom from time to time. It doesn’t have to be regular but be intentional. And don’t sweat it if most of your meaningful interaction happens at the Weekly Gathering.

3.      Find ways to serve together with your MC. Investigate needs in your neighborhood, local school, or a community organization, and consider volunteering in a way that is safe and meaningful.

How can I help? We’re so glad you asked! If you’re not already on the Gathering Director team or the Gathering Operations team, and you’d like to volunteer, email info@karischurch.org. 

What if I still have questions? Our MC leaders will be going through training on November 1st to learn more about what’s coming up next. After that, they’ll be a great resource to answer your questions. Before then, you can direct questions to Pastor Rob at rob@karischurch.org.

Important Dates to Remember

We’ve just covered a lot. Here are all the important dates to keep in mind:

October 28 - Registration opens for first series of Weekly Gatherings

November 1 - Leadership Training (for MC Leaders only)

November 8 - Last Front Lawn Gathering

November 11, 12, 13, 14 - First series of Weekly Gatherings

A Few Last Words

Pastor Rob here with a few final thoughts:

1.      I miss “us.” I hope your memory of our pre-COVID world hasn’t faded too much. It wasn’t heaven, we still had our issues, but it was family as God intended. I long for the days of long communion lines, loud singing, and lots of pre-Gathering hugs. Brothers and sisters, hold on a little while longer. Whichever comes first, the post-COVID world, or heaven on earth, both come with hugs. Lots of them. I can’t wait. 

2.      Distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection. Brothers and sisters, fight the temptation of social isolation, in the name of social distance. A few of us, for good reason, should stay away from gatherings of any size during this phase of the pandemic. But I fear many of us have bought the lie that we are stronger alone. Or strong enough alone. That we have what it takes to get to the finish line of the pandemic alone. Friends, we don’t think this way in the Christian life, so let’s not be tempted towards this in the pandemic life. For those that have strayed away from meaningful connection with the family, it’s time to come home. Consider these new Weekly Gatherings as a good time to jump back in; just wear a mask and save the hugs for later.

3.      Your Heavenly Father loves you. We’re all stressed. Work, friendship, marriage, parenting, worship, joy - it’s all harder when living through a global pandemic. That stress is a catalyst for temptation, disunity, and sin. Hear me Karis - no matter the sin, and no matter what brokenness exists in your relationships with others, know that your Heavenly Father loves you. He has not abandoned you. He is here and He is at work in you. Repent and believe that His Son’s work on the cross is a sufficient means of receiving His grace, even for 2020-you. This is good news for all of us.

4.      We’re trying our best. This might be a self-serving point, so forgive me. Just know that what we’re attempting to do with this model of Weekly Gatherings came after months of careful consideration for your physical and spiritual health. We know it’s not perfect. It doesn’t meet every need. It’s weird that we’re not meeting on Sundays. It’s hard to not see everyone. It’s exhausting to not have Karis Kids. It’s sad that we can’t sing. Just know, we need your grace, your prayers, and your patience. We’re trying our best to love you well during these unprecedented times. But also know, we’re certain we haven’t thought of everything. We absolutely want your feedback. You can always email me at rob@karischurch.org anytime with questions or concerns.