COVID numbers are on the rise in Michigan, and Allegan County, once again. 

Based on positive case numbers and infection rates, this week the county's risk level has risen to the "high risk" category. As we became aware of this trend, the Ad Board decided to hold an emergency meeting on 3/24 to discuss how we should proceed. 

There was a separate email to share the full explanation of our decision and how we will be proceeding as a church. You can also find the writing of that email on our website. 

The main thing you need to know is: For now, we will continue offering in-person worship and live Zoom from the Hopkins Sunday service. 

That said, to continue inside we must do all we can to decrease the risk of spread among our church family when we gather. Worship will mainly look the same as it has been, but we will be tightening some of the COVID restrictions that we had started to loosen up on. The biggest changes are: no singing, windows will be open and the heat cranked up, and the usual restrictions (masks, social distancing, etc) will be enforced more strongly. 

Again, for the full updated list of guidelines, refer to the past email focused on the Ad Board's discussion and short-term plan for this current increase in COVID-19 in our area. You can also find the expanded details on our church website. 

Update as of 4/7: Numbers have continued to rise. Michigan tops the charts with 7 of our cities having the highest COVID numbers per capita. As we look at this wave, the Ad Board will be discussing how to proceed at the 4/12 meeting. We will share our conclusions as soon as we can. 

We are looking ahead to next year and we want to hold a community-wide Egg Hunt! But that means we need a LOT more eggs and little items to stuff them with. As you go to the store in the next week or so, be on the lookout for plastic eggs on sale/clearance and scoop them up! If you see anything that would be fun to stuff in an egg, we’d love to have you get those, too.  Bring them to the church on Wednesdays or Sunday mornings and we will add them to our collection to get ready for next year. 

On Pentecost, May 23, we will officially start our Summer Worship Schedule: 10am at Common Ground, together with both churches. Bring your chairs and we will spread out around the yard and join together in a more casual worship setting in God's creation! 

As part of celebrating Pentecost we will be offering baptism for anyone who has yet to be baptized and would like to be. We have had many babies join our church family, but adults are also welcome. Talk with Pastor Kelsey if you would like yourself  or your child to be baptized! 

Thank you so much for your faithful donations!
The needs right now are:  macaroni & cheese, potatoes, pasta, and canned fruit. Drop off Wednesedays from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm. Bring them to church or contact Mitzi or Pastor Linda about a drop off time.

Allegan County Food Pantry is collecting cereal for the month of April! Their goal is to bring in 25,000 boxes to stock up to support families during summer vacation. You can bring boxes to Allegan, or drop them off with our Hopkins Food Pantry (mark them for Allegan FP). You can also donate funds at www.alleganfoundation.org or mail to ACCF 112 Locust St. Allegan, MI 49010 (memo note: cereal).