Our leadership is closely monitoring the situation and following recommendations from state and local government agencies (i.e. NYS and Essex CDC as well as the National CDC). 
 
For now, we are planning to hold Sunday services. The Mountainside Youth Center is still running the regularly scheduled classes at the discretion of the group leaders.
 
We have always worked hard to maintain a clean and safe environment and we will continue to make this a top priority. 
 
Here’s What We are doing:
Sunday Services

• Greeters will be opening doors for you as you arrive
• All touch points on campus will be wiped down and sanitized
• All toys in our children's classrooms will be wiped down and sanitized
• Hand sanitizer is available in each building, as is soap in each of our bathrooms
• As always, our cleaning crew is doing an excellent job of cleaning and sanitizing all of our gathering spaces and classrooms throughout the week
• The Children's Ministry will continue to have Clorox wipes in each room
• We are instructing all volunteers to wash their hands frequently while serving and to stay home if they are sick

In addition, we have already been using an offering box in the lobby for Saturday evening service. For the sake of our oldest generation or those with immune deficiencies, we will use that box instead of passing the offering plate, and continue that practice until we have more clarity on the nature of this virus.

Here’s What You Can Do: (from the CDC website)

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially when out in public
• Avoid contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away

Let’s look forward to the opportunity we have to gather together for worship, while also being sensitive that some may want to avoid physical contact. Let’s continue to “…motivate one another to acts of love and good works,” just without a handshake, hug or fist bump.

As always, we encourage anyone who has a fever or is feeling sick to stay home, and instead join our livestream which can be found HERE.

Out of love for our neighbors, and particularly our elderly neighbors, we want to be wise so as to avoid unnecessarily exposing them to something harmful. For our younger population, Coronavirus may not be as serious a risk, but it could pose a more serious risk to those whom we unknowingly pass it along to. Wisdom is a virtue and we cherish it, and so is love for our neighbor. 

Paul instructs us “to be anxious for nothing, but in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Jesus, in His love for us, tells us “don’t be anxious for tomorrow” because He knows that’s our tendency. 

We can trust His sovereign care and leading especially in times of uncertainty.  We know worry is a sin, and love of neighbor is a virtue.  Where these intersect is wisdom.  So, let’s exercise wisdom as it applies to your family and continue to serve for the glory of God and the good of those around us.  This is a great time to be caring for each other and sharing Christ.

Join us in praying for those around the globe who are affected by this illness, as well as their caregivers and those who are working around the clock to minimize the impact of this virus.
 
Please be watching for any future updates. 
 
 
Mountainside Leadership Team