
March/April Upper Room Not Available At This Time.
March/April Upper Room Not Available At This Time.

No Easter Eggs This Year
No Easter Eggs This Year
Online Services Only
Online Services Only
Letter from Bishop Park
Letter from Bishop Park
July 16, 2020
July 16, 2020
Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
Grace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our Brokenness,
Grace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our Brokenness,
and Hope of the World!
and Hope of the World!
By now you are aware of the news conference that Gov. Tom Wolf held on July 15 with
By now you are aware of the news conference that Gov. Tom Wolf held on July 15 with
Dr. Rachael Levine, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They reported
Dr. Rachael Levine, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They reported
that there had been a significant increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19 in
that there had been a significant increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19 in
Pennsylvania over the past week. Medical experts are projecting that at the current
Pennsylvania over the past week. Medical experts are projecting that at the current
trajectory, a new surge of the virus is a real possibility.
trajectory, a new surge of the virus is a real possibility.
Many other states are experiencing increases in the number of new COVID-19 cases
Many other states are experiencing increases in the number of new COVID-19 cases
reported per day. Florida, for example, one day last week had 15,000 new cases—greater
reported per day. Florida, for example, one day last week had 15,000 new cases—greater
than once the highest one-day case count in New York. This pandemic is not over and
than once the highest one-day case count in New York. This pandemic is not over and
the progress that has been made is being negated by a new surge.
the progress that has been made is being negated by a new surge.
Therefore, Gov. Wolf is resuming some restrictions. Indoor gatherings are again limited
Therefore, Gov. Wolf is resuming some restrictions. Indoor gatherings are again limited
to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings to a maximum of 250. We must continue to wear
to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings to a maximum of 250. We must continue to wear
face coverings and practice social distancing any time we might encounter others. We
face coverings and practice social distancing any time we might encounter others. We
still should strictly follow all the safety protocols.
still should strictly follow all the safety protocols.
As your bishop, I strongly urge our churches to heed these limitations on gatherings. This
As your bishop, I strongly urge our churches to heed these limitations on gatherings. This
is to slow the spread of the virus, for the sake of our worshipers and the communities
is to slow the spread of the virus, for the sake of our worshipers and the communities
outside our churches.
outside our churches.
I know that the state has exempted religious institutions from these restrictions. However,
I know that the state has exempted religious institutions from these restrictions. However,
as Christians, we must be diligent to care not only for ourselves, but for all people,
as Christians, we must be diligent to care not only for ourselves, but for all people,
especially the least and the vulnerable. It is our sacred responsibility to surpass
especially the least and the vulnerable. It is our sacred responsibility to surpass
governmental standards to keep people safe.
governmental standards to keep people safe.
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
I realize that this is a difficult reversal, especially when many of our churches have finally
I realize that this is a difficult reversal, especially when many of our churches have finally
reopened. Indeed, the scripture is true: “How good it is when brothers and sisters dwell
reopened. Indeed, the scripture is true: “How good it is when brothers and sisters dwell
together” (Psalm 133:1). However, now more than ever, we must put the health and safety
together” (Psalm 133:1). However, now more than ever, we must put the health and safety
of others ahead of our need and desire to gather.
of others ahead of our need and desire to gather.
Please also remember that the majority of our worshipers are in the age group that is at
Please also remember that the majority of our worshipers are in the age group that is at
risk of contracting the disease. Lest we become complacent about younger people, note
risk of contracting the disease. Lest we become complacent about younger people, note
Dr. Levine’s observation that at the start of the pandemic: COVID-19 affected mostly
Dr. Levine’s observation that at the start of the pandemic: COVID-19 affected mostly
people ages 19 to 49, before it spread to those over age 65. This pattern is repeating,
people ages 19 to 49, before it spread to those over age 65. This pattern is repeating,
she says.
she says.
Gov. Wolf also reiterated that businesses should conduct their operations through
Gov. Wolf also reiterated that businesses should conduct their operations through
teleworking, as much as possible. We in the conference office take this very seriously.
teleworking, as much as possible. We in the conference office take this very seriously.
As you know, our conference employees, except for a very few, are working from home.
As you know, our conference employees, except for a very few, are working from home.
Our staff faithfully continue to do their work effectively from home.
Our staff faithfully continue to do their work effectively from home.
The conference office will continue this for the foreseeable future. The safety of our staff
The conference office will continue this for the foreseeable future. The safety of our staff
is one of our highest priorities. As always, you are welcome to call the conference office
is one of our highest priorities. As always, you are welcome to call the conference office
or email the staff. However, the office will continue to be closed and we will not admit
or email the staff. However, the office will continue to be closed and we will not admit
others into the building.
others into the building.
This week, a new issue of The Link was published, and it contained information about
This week, a new issue of The Link was published, and it contained information about
reopening in-person worship during the Green Phase. This letter, however, supersedes
reopening in-person worship during the Green Phase. This letter, however, supersedes
that information.
that information.
We are in this together. Let us not lose heart as we continue to pray for each other and
We are in this together. Let us not lose heart as we continue to pray for each other and
the world. Your faithfulness in serving God and loving people is so encouraging and
the world. Your faithfulness in serving God and loving people is so encouraging and
inspiring to all of us as we keep hope alive for such a time as this. Let us be assured that
inspiring to all of us as we keep hope alive for such a time as this. Let us be assured that
in this time of unprecedented challenge, our God never leaves us on our own. “Praise be
in this time of unprecedented challenge, our God never leaves us on our own. “Praise be
to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Best of all, God is with us!
to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Best of all, God is with us!
In Ministry With You,
In Ministry With You,
†
†
Jeremiah J. Park
Jeremiah J. Park
We will be taking a slow and cautious approach to opening back up again, especially for worship
Until further notice, we are limiting the building use only for only essential activities. While we highly value being together, we value more highly the health and safety of our people!
We need a much higher comfort level than what our medical experts are currently giving us now to reopen.
Church activities, including Worship Services, are canceled .
Church activities, including Worship Services, are canceled .
Modified Office Hours
Modified Office Hours
Please contact the office by phone or email to find out when the office will be open. You can call Pastor Mark on his cell at any time. 717-414-3047
Please contact the office by phone or email to find out when the office will be open. You can call Pastor Mark on his cell at any time. 717-414-3047
Faith COM (Food Bank) will be open only on Thursdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m..
Faith COM (Food Bank) will be open only on Thursdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m..
This is a good time to download the GivePlus phone app and continue to give your financial support to Faith Church.
This is a good time to download the GivePlus phone app and continue to give your financial support to Faith Church.