IMPORTANT COVID-19 MINISTRY UPDATE
As we've seen a marked increase in the number of COVID cases across Lee County over the last few weeks, and as we prepare for 30,000 of our closest friends to come/return to the campus of Auburn University over the next couple of weeks, I wanted to share an update on how we'll begin in ministry together this semester at Wesley.
As of today, we are planning to offer the full range of ministries and to have our building fully open as a place for people to study and hang out without putting limits on capacity. But, just as the University is doing, we are going to begin the semester by wearing masks when we are indoors.
We're all going to live this way together, regardless of vaccination status, for a few reasons -
1. This is the best way for us to protect ourselves and others from getting sick. The Delta variant is proving to be especially contagious and transmissible.
2. We hope that over the next couple of weeks we will meet and begin to get connected to hundreds of new students! We want to create as safe an environment as we can for these new connections and friendships to be made.
3. As God's people, it becomes especially important that we live not for ourselves or for our own comfort and convenience, but that we look to the needs of others - especially those most vulnerable. And we do this because this is precisely the way that Jesus is toward us!
Last year, when we were in the peak of the pandemic and without any vaccines, what guided us then needs to continue to guide us now - Wesley's three general rules: Do no harm. Do good. Grow in your love for God.
As I said above, we do not plan to reduce capacity or limit use of the building. And we do plan to have Thursday night dinner! We will wear masks while we go through the line to get our food. Once we're at our seats, we can take off our masks and eat. Then we'll put our masks back on... and then off to Bible Studies or Freshmen Community!
There is some risk in having this meal. We will do what we can to mitigate that risk. But I see how much this shared time together is one of the most tangible means of grace to so many of you - giving you time to be together, enjoy one another, get worked up about the raffle, and eat a Sister Schubert roll or two or three.
And so I hope you can hear our commitment to take seriously the situation we are in as it relates to COVID and also to take seriously what you need to be supported and grow and thrive in relationship to God and one another, even during this time!
As a ministry, we will not have any kind of limitations to participation based on vaccination status. AND what is also true is that I will continue to invite everyone who is able to be vaccinated to go ahead and do just that, as it is the surest and safest way to the other side of this. There are a number of places around Auburn where you can receive the vaccine for free. And we'd be glad to help you find one of those. Auburn University has an incentive program that it is rolling out this fall for students who can show proof of their fully vaccinated status - with some of the prizes being things like A-Zone parking and free tuition for the semester! If you've been hesitant to get vaccinated, I hope something in all of this might encourage you to take that step.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. And thank you for being a part of Wesley. I am praying for you as we begin this new semester. I have such a sense of anticipation and hope for how God will be at work in and through you and this ministry!
May the grace + peace of Christ be yours
Tony Jeck
Campus Minister