June 1, 2021

Dear Members and Friends of our Immanuel church family,

There are some new developments regarding denominational issues, so we thought it was time for an update.

As you may recall, the United Methodist General Conference (GC) was scheduled to meet in 2020.  It is only the General Conference (which is supposed to meet every four years) that can legislate or speak on behalf of the UMC.  Because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, that global gathering of United Methodist delegates has been postponed (twice) as well as the related Jurisdictional Conferences.  Further postponement was deemed necessary due to restrictions on global travel since a large number of delegates come from outside the USA (where vaccinations are still limited).  Additionally virtual options are not available for all delegates or inadequate.

So where are we now?  

The 2020 General Conference of the UMC is currently rescheduled for August 29 – September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis MN.   The decision to maintain that date, and/or location, or to delay it further, rests with the Commission on the General Conference.   Please pray that our global delegates have better access to vaccinations and for their ability to freely travel to the General Conference.   We need their participation and leadership and we also need to complete the work of the “2020” General Conference as soon as possible.  

Our full Southeastern Jurisdictional (SEJ) Conference Meeting has been rescheduled for November 2022.  A special limited agenda SEJ online meeting is also scheduled for Wednesday July 21, 2021. 

• Note – Pastor Kelly was elected as a Kentucky Conference delegate to the SEJ Conference.  This includes being involved in all the meetings and briefings of the Kentucky delegation to General Conference.   

• In the links below please see information about interim assignments for Bishops due to the delays in the SEJ Conference.  This includes the temporary assignment of our Bishop, Leonard Fairley, to “cover” the Episcopal Area of North Carolina, while still serving as the Bishop of the Kentucky and Red Bird Missionary Conferences. 

Among other proposed GC legislation, we expected there to be a vote on a proposal called “A Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation Through Separation.”  This was aimed at resolving intractable conflicts regarding a number of theological and ecclesiastical divisions which have severely hampered the mission and ministry of our denomination.  These include issues of sexual ethics, but also the deeper root causes for many different biblical and theological positions among progressives / liberals and more traditional / conservative churches, clergy, and Bishops.  The differences and divisions in the UMC have been brewing for decades but they have now reached the point where many believe the only way to move beyond this impasse is by dividing our denomination into several new denominational expressions of the Methodist and Wesleyan traditions.   For more information on those issues, including my personal statement, please open the link below.  

We are not yet at a point of decision related to the state of our denomination.  It’s likely that by the time we reach a point of decision, many of the current proposals may either be changed dramatically or even eliminated altogether, plus new and better options for change may emerge.   As a result, many of the “plans” being discussed, including groundwork being made for any new potential denominations, are still speculative and must await the General Conference before any votes are possible.  In the meantime, the 2016 Book of Discipline is unchanged, and it still represents the law of the church until the next General Conference. 

While this is not true in all conferences and jurisdictions in the UMC (in the USA), please know that the Bishop, Clergy, and Churches of the Kentucky Conference are keeping covenant and they are committed to upholding the 2016 Book of Discipline.  The current Book of Discipline is still supportive of traditional biblical beliefs regarding ordination, marriage, sexual ethics, and gender issues.  Not all KY clergy and laity agree with those positions, but so far, the progressive members of our Conference are not violating the Book of Discipline and they are working through proper channels to share their different points of view. 

Your ministry staff, lay leaders and Church Council are staying well-informed about all denominational issues and we discuss all significant new developments at our monthly Council meetings.  We do not believe that any sort of church-wide public forums would be fruitful at this time since we do not have enough concrete information, or any viable (or necessary) decision points to be made at the local church level.   At this point, premature public forums, debate, or accentuating the negatives in our denomination, might needlessly harm the relational fabric of our church even as we are trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic.   When we near a point of decision, we will begin the process of informing the congregation and creating whatever public forums are deemed necessary at that time (probably six months prior to the rescheduled General Conference).  If the General Conference is delayed beyond 2022, or if new options / decision points become available, we will reconsider this approach and keep you informed about next steps for Immanuel. 

What if I want more information now?  You have two primary opportunities.

1. Below are links to websites for more information about denominational issues, including a more personal statement from me.

2. You may also schedule a conversation with one of our pastors, ministry staff or lay leaders.  

What should we do for now? 

Pray and keep doing what we are doing at Immanuel. 

While Immanuel is a part of the UMC, many of the denomination’s most divisive issues are not as pressing in Kentucky as they are in other areas of our nation.  There is no indication that the ministry and work of Immanuel (or the Kentucky Conference) will be interrupted or significantly changed (at least between now and the next General Conference which is at least 15 months away).  There is no need for any radical changes at Immanuel now or in the foreseeable future.  We have much to celebrate and enjoy in our church family and we also have ample opportunities to grow as disciples and witnesses for Christ through our church and in our daily lives.  Therefore, we should each make it our priority to carry on our mission of “Making Disciples by Sharing Faith and Serving Others.” 

With the love of Christ,

Immanuel Church Council Executive Team

Dr. Kelly McClendon ( Senior Pastor )

Jane Schwarting (Church Council Leader)

Nancy Kinman (Finance Team Leader; Co-Lay Leader)

John Minor (Co-Lay Leader)

Mike Lord (Trustees Team Leader)

Laura Straeffer (Staff Parish Relations Team)

Personal Statement from Dr. Kelly McClendon, Immanuel Senior Pastor – June 1, 2021

In my 35 years of pastoral ministry in the UMC, I have always found full opportunity to serve the Lord with faithfulness in the local church.  I’ve never been asked, or forced, to deny my conscience as a United Methodist pastor regarding my personal biblical and theological convictions.  You also have that opportunity at Immanuel every day, and that should be the priority for you and for every member of our church family (regardless of where they are on any theological or social / political spectrum).  It is very easy to become distracted and discouraged by denominational politics, especially when people are tempted to accentuate the negative.  It’s far better for us to work each day to fulfill the mission of Immanuel to “make disciples, share faith, and serve others.”   We don’t yet know the specific shape of our denomination’s future, or what better options may wait on the other side of our current impasse, but I believe we’re closer to a breakthrough than ever before.  While we wait for new opportunities we must continue to stand together and do the Lord’s work here.

All throughout my years of ministry, I have been aware of other clergy (including Bishops), local churches, and whole Conferences in our denomination, whose convictions were very different than mine.  On rare occasions, I even believed some of them to be in clear conflict with what I believe the Bible teaches.  On any given day, I can always find something to be inspired and encouraged about in our global denomination.  The vast majority of UM churches – including clergy and laity - are doing good and faithful work for Christ.  However, on some other days, I can also find something that troubles me - ranging from mild disagreement to disgust and deep disappointment.   Those issues are a matter of daily personal prayer (for decades now).  Many years ago, I decided not to fixate on the more negative elements of our denomination.  I also decided I would not accept any simple “guilt by association” or allow myself to be defined or driven by the actions of others in our denomination.  Instead, I have chosen to differentiate myself and the churches I have served (as God enables) so that we are as biblically faithful and theologically sound as possible while always being as gracious and loving as possible toward those who hold other points of view.  

I have been pleased to serve alongside faithful church members and leaders, and other clergy, who are at various points on the theological and social / political spectrum.  In most cases, I’ve been able to maintain open dialogue and loving personal relationship that are gracious and respectful - even while contending vigorously for what I believe to be faithful to scripture and the theological convictions of the Wesleyan / Methodist tradition.  In this regard I remain very grateful to serve in the Kentucky Conference which not only keeps faith with Scripture and the Book of Discipline, but where I also have ample reasons to be proud of the work we do together for the Lord.  The crises which are disrupting the work of the UMC in many places are yet to be experienced in our area, and our denominational structure also allows us very little opportunity to help or influence outcomes in other UM Conferences and Jurisdictions.  I will continue to make the work of the local church my first priority, the work of our Annual Conference comes second, while the general work of our denomination is, for me, a distant third priority.  There are ample opportunities to engage in fruitful ministry in the UMC in Kentucky, and particularly at Immanuel. 

Still, maintaining denominational unity has become increasingly difficult as the theological and ecclesial differences in the UMC have grown more extreme and have proven to be more irreconcilable.  The elected delegates to General Conference (who alone have the power to change the Book of Discipline) are increasingly traditional / conservative (given the growth of the global church and the decline of the UMC in the USA).   Therefore, the majority of delegates have consistently upheld or reinforced positions that represent traditional / conservative biblical and theological convictions – particularly on issues related to ordination, marriage, sexual ethics, and gender issues (among other significant issues). 

However, some progressive clergy members, local churches, Annual Conferences, and Bishops in North America are willing to effectively disregard and defy the Book of Discipline (as a type of conscientious civil disobedience).  While they disagree with the the Book of Discipline and the will of the General Conference, they have no intention to either leave the denomination, or to keep covenant with it.  Instead they apparently intend to resist until more traditional clergy, churches, Annual Conferences, and Bishops give into despair and then depart (or until they inspire people to change their positions and convictions). 

Efforts at accountability have proven to be ineffective because people have found loopholes in the Discipline to exploit and therefore the application of the Book of Discipline is sometimes inconsistent and even arbitrary.  This has exposed a host of other systemic problems in the UM denomination which need to be changed.  In my opinion, the divisions at the level of our denomination are much broader than issues of human sexuality, because they are rooted in divergent positions on Scriptural authority and inspiration, which lead to significant differences in biblical interpretation and theological conclusions about a large variety of important issues. 

While this is all disheartening, we need to hold fast.  I believe that whenever conservative leaning clergy or church members choose to leave our denomination in frustration, it is actually a type of desertion and surrender which gives a de facto victory to those who are in defiance of both the Bible and the UM Book of Discipline.  We are nearer now to an amicable resolution to all this conflict than ever before – but that is true only if we are patient, and keep our focus, and if we do not give up.  

I have come to believe that our broader denominational conflicts will only be resolved amicably through the formation of two or more new denominations.  Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  To me this means, we should do all we can to find an amicable and peaceful resolution to this conflict.  Therefore, I hope and pray that the “Protocol of Grace and Reconciliation through Separation” is approved by action of the next General Conference (see attached link).  I continue to believe that this is our best hope for lasting change given the complex realities of our denomination.  This will allow space for those who are more traditional / conservative, and also those who are more progressive, or those who are either left or right leaning centrists, to pursue what they believe to be God’s will for the church and the Methodist tradition in the world.  If given the opportunity, it is my hope and prayer that many Conferences or jurisdictions will vote to become part of the Global Methodist Church, and short of that, that Immanuel and many other churches will make a choice to move in that direction. If that opportunity does present itself, it probably won't arrive until one and half years from now. We need to focus on the ministry and work at hand.

While the status quo at Immanuel, and even in the Kentucky Conference is very good, and we should continue to focus on the work at hand as our top priority, I also believe the state of our denomination needs to change as soon as possible.  The current level of conflict and division is unhealthy.  If the 2020 General Conference had happened as scheduled, I believe we would now be on the other side of this impasse.  Like many others, my patience is wearing thin, but I love Immanuel, and it is for that reason that I am still here.  I hope and pray that God will allow me the grace to see this church settled into a better harbor on the other side of this storm.  In the meantime, Christ is still leading us and giving us many opportunities for joyful ministry each day. 

Please join me as we in stand together here, keeping up the many good ministries at Immanuel, remaining prayerful, and as we wait until God reveals a clearer path forward.    

With the love of Christ,

Dr. Kelly McClendon, Immanuel Senior Pastor

Information about the postponed 2020 General Conference

• https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020

Information about the Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation Through Separation

• https://www.gracethroughseparation.com/faqs-legislation

News about the temporary assignment for SEJ Bishops in light of delays

• https://www.kyumc.org/newsdetail/council-of-bishops-approves-episcopal-supervision-recommendations-for-sej-15252392

• https://www.kyumc.org/newsdetail/15252489

Info about new denominations being proposed (assuming the Protocol is approved)

• Traditional / Conservative: https://www.globalmethodist.org/

• Progressive / Liberal: https://www.thelmx.org/

• Centrist:  https://umcnext.com/ (They advocate mostly for “staying United Methodist” meaning the default “post separation UMC.” Many believe this will also essentially be a “new” denomination which will start with full support for all LGBTQ+ issues (behaviors and beliefs), and then it will inevitably trend toward greater theological progressivism.

Other news from a traditional / conservative theological viewpoint  

• https://wesleyancovenant.org/critical-articles-in-a-time-of-transition/

• https://goodnewsmag.org/

• https://firebrandmag.com/  

UPDATE TO IMMANUEL COVID-19 GUIDELINES (May 14, 2021)

As approved by the Executive Team of the Immanuel Church Council

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

People in many parts of the world are continuing to struggle mightily with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we need to lift them in prayer, but we are also very hopeful to see positive signs of improvement in our region and nation.  Therefore, we believe it is time to update and revise our Covid-19 guidelines at Immanuel, particularly in regard to facial coverings.

To summarize - if you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to wear a facial coverings or maintain social distancing at Immanuel. If you not fully vaccinated, we recommend wearing facial coverings indoors and practicing social distancing. Pleae read further for more details.

Please know that we continue to trust our lay members to make their own choices, and to accept whatever level of risk they are comfortable with, both for their own protection, and out of concern for the welfare of others.  The following guidelines are simply recommendations for Immanuel based on the current status of public health issues, and in prayerful consideration of the unique needs of our church family and the community we serve.  You may choose to adopt a stricter approach to your precautions - God bless you!  If you are not yet ready or able to attend church in-person, we hope you’ll continue participating through our online community.  However, we are excited and hopeful about seeing more people return to in-person worship and to greater participation in church activities.   

We believe that the following changes are warranted for four main reasons:

• A significant number of people in the Immanuel church family have been fully vaccinated.

• There has been a significant decrease in positivity rates in NKY.

• There is an increasing number of people who are eager to return to worship and other church activities under more normal conditions (even as they are resuming more normal activities in other venues). 

• Various recommendations from the CDC and governmental sources have significantly changed in recent days.

UPDATED COVID-19 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMMANUEL - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

1.       People who are fully vaccinated (plus 2 weeks) are encouraged to participate freely in all in-person activities offered by the church.  Those same people are not required nor recommended to wear facial coverings at Immanuel.  However, vaccinated persons may choose to continue wearing a facial covering at their discretion.  

 2.       People who are not fully vaccinated (or who are choosing not to be vaccinated at this time) are also encouraged to participate in all in-person activities at Immanuel; however, we still strongly recommend that they continue to wear facial coverings indoors, especially in areas of close proximity to others in our church.   Social distancing while indoors is also still recommended.

• Worship leaders and musicians will be exempted while actively leading from the chancel / platform.

3.       Groups - for discipleship, ministry & mission, and other activities can resume meeting at the church.

• We recommend following our general guidelines related to masks and vaccinations, however, each group will be given some discretion about facial coverings and social distancing based on the consensus of the members of that group. 

• Whenever feasible, and necessary, we will attempt to provide hybrid / online options.

4.       Children and Youth - Even though children and youth are at a decreased risk of serious complications from a Covid-19 infection, we want to take special care with them.  Most youth and children are not yet fully approved for vaccinations or they have not had opportunities to be fully vaccinated at this time.   Therefore:

• Unvaccinated staff members and lay leaders who serve these populations will be required to wear facial coverings in almost all cases (except when leading from a socially distant position).

• We recommend facial coverings for unvaccinated children and youth in all indoor spaces (facial coverings for pre-K children are at the discretion of their parents). 

• Our Immanuel School of Music has several unique issues which may require guidelines to be more or less strict on a case by case basis.    

5.       Outside activities - facial coverings are neither recommended nor required for fully vaccinated people, however, we support those who wish to continue wearing them for whatever reason.  Unvaccinated people are still recommended to wear a facial covering when in close proximity to others.   

• Some people serving in outside activities will be asked to continue using facial coverings due to proximity issues (e.g. food mission / panty workers in direct contact with unvaccinated guests).

 6.       Other Issues:

• Coffee service will resume for Sunday worship events and special events as soon as possible.

• Refreshments and / or meals can resume at church after prior approval from the staff liaison.

• Online Worship options will continued to be offered for those unable to attend in-person services.

For more information contact any member of our ministry staff or members of the Church Council Executive Team:

• Jane Schwarting (Church council leader)

• Nancy Kinman (Finance Team leader; Co-Lay Leader)

• John Minor (Co-Lay Leader)

• Mike Lord (Trustees Team Leader)

• Laura Straeffer (Staff Parish Relations Team Leader)

I know many people who are waiting anxiously for their opportunity to take one of the Covid-19 vaccines, while others may choose to defer until later, and still others are considering their options.  Each person will need to prayerfully consider what is best for them, and also what best represents “loving your neighbors” as Christ demands from His disciples. 

In any case, I want to share some information about who is eligible to get the vaccine and when they may be have access, based on the phases of distribution in Kentucky.  This information has been provided by the St. Elizabeth Hospital of Northern Kentucky.  Please read it carefully and prayerfully. 

Go to:  https://stelizabeth.com/covid-vaccine

I also want to share a personal statement, in other words, the following is just my opinion so you can take it or leave it as you wish.  My conviction is this – I’m very grateful that vaccines are now being distributed and that more and more people will have the opportunity to receive them.  I am very hopeful for the potential this development has to hasten the end of this pandemic and all the risks and restrictions it entails.  Every day I hear more reports of “our neighbors” suffering from a Covid-19 infection or who are fearful after confirmed exposures.  This includes more and more of our church members, and members of their families, as well as friends in our community.  Some people have milder symptoms than others, but I’ve personally known too many people who have suffered terribly, or who had to fight for their lives, as well as too many others who have died as a direct result of this disease. 

In light of all that, I continue to encourage you to worship as part of our online community.  We will remain open for those who wish to join us in-person, but we insist that those who join us wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing (unless they are actively leading).  It is likely that churches will not be able to be fully and safely open until we reach the final phases of vaccine distribution.

I also encourage you to take one of the new vaccines as soon as possible.  I know that some fear the risks associated with vaccines with an “Emergency Use Authorization” (or vaccines in general) but I fear the risks of not taking them are much greater.  I fully intend to take a vaccine at my first opportunity.   Some of the information from St. Elizabeth Healthcare may help to ease concerns about the process and safety of these new vaccines, but first let me also share a personal illustration.  

I have a small odd shaped scar on my upper left arm.  It is the evidence that I received the Smallpox vaccine as a boy.   My children, their wives, and my granddaughter do not have this scar.  They should never need to fear getting this disease that once wreaked havoc all over the world.  It is overly heroic to say, but they won’t get this disease, or even need the vaccine, because I, and other people like me received a vaccine, not just for our benefit, but for the common good.  When I was a boy, I vividly remember seeing all sorts of people with various kinds of diseases and conditions that I haven’t seen since, and that change is due in large part to the vaccines that the medical community has developed over the years. 

I fully believe that God often uses the practice of science and medicine to do His work and I am very grateful for it.  I love one of the mission slogans from St. Elizabeth Hospital, it says they are about the work of “Extending the healing ministry of Jesus.”   I want to join in that work whenever possible.  For me, taking a Covid-19 vaccine is less about my health, and more about doing what I can to help others. 

I pray that God will bless you with health and safety – through whatever means He chooses to use - for our good and for His glory.

With the love of Jesus,

Dr. Kelly McClendon, Immanuel Senior Pastor  

January 6, 2021

Dear Immanuel Church family,

We have news to share that may be both surprising and unsettling.  We also need to proclaim that God works in all things for our good and His glory.  Some of those “all things” are difficult and unwanted, but they also give us the opportunity to trust in God’s provision and to look forward to how God will continue to bless our church in new ways.  God is good and faithful, and we trust in the Lord to provide.

Our Associate Pastor, Drew Oakley, has decided to leave Immanuel to accept an offer to become the new Senior Pastor of a non-denominational church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In Drew’s letters to our Staff Parish Relations Team (SPR) and District Superintendent (DS) he wrote,

“I love Immanuel.  I love the people here.  I love working for and with Kelly [and with our staff]. I’ve looked forward to coming to work every day I’ve been here. Even the hard ones. I was not looking for another job or actively seeking a new church.  In a very Holy Spirit led way, I met someone, who told my story to someone else, who told my story to the church in Tuscaloosa.  I have prayed fervently about this. I’ve tried to talk myself out of it more times than I can count. But I feel in my heart that this is what God wants me to do and therefore have decided to accept their offer.  It is a very generous offer and one that comes with opportunity to continue my pursuit of making disciples of Jesus Christ.”

While we’re sad that our friend Drew (and his sweet family) will be leaving us, we are trusting that God will provide for them and our church during this transition.  We hope and pray the best for the Oakley’s, and we know they will continue as co-laborers with us in the work of God’s Kingdom and Christ’s church.

The SPR team will look for a replacement following two parallel approaches.  We will immediately begin a search for a non-ordained staff member to work in the areas of Discipleship, Men’s Ministry, New member assimilation, Evangelism, Hospitality, and technical support.  Simultaneously, we will work through the appointive process, in consultation with our District Superintendent, to see what ordained clergy options may be available from within our Kentucky Annual Conference (appointments are made in late June).  Given the timing of this change, we may find a non-ordained candidate first and move in that direction, or we may discover an ordained candidate who is worth waiting on.  In the interim, all duties for this position will be distributed among existing staff and lay leaders.  In the coming weeks we will publish a list of those assignments and the point persons responsible for those ministries.  We fully expect these ministry areas will continue to thrive and grow in the coming months, but we ask for your prayers for all those involved in them.   

Drew’s last Sunday with us will be February 7.  During worship we will pray for him and his continued ministry in a new setting and ask God’s blessings upon him and his family.  If you wish to express your love and thanks to Drew, we ask that you send him a note (via the church since his address is transitional) and you may include a love offering if you wish.  We will make sure your note gets to him before or after he leaves.   

We will continue to stand on the promises of God, like this one from 2 Corinthians 9:8, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”  We claim that verse as God’s word for Drew, and for our church family in the coming days. 

 With the love of Christ,    

Dr. Kelly McClendon, Senior Pastor                                        Laura Straeffer, Staff Parish Team leader

Pastor Letter - Updated – December 11, 2020

Due to the significant increase in Covid-19 cases in our community, we need to increase our diligence and safety precautions as a way to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors and those in our church family.   Therefore, I recommend that people worship at home with our online community whenever our county is in the “red zone” for Covid-19 cases.  However, we still intend to remain partially reopen moving forward as explained below. 

We hope and pray that people will take full advantage of all our online opportunities, but we also believe that given our safety precautions and other issues, we want to preserve an option for people to worship in-person.  Each person will need to prayerfully make the wisest choice possible for themselves and their families, with consideration to our neighbors and church family.  We are praying with you and for you.

Our current model is to live stream our worship services at multiple times in multiple venues each Sunday morning as they happen.  We want to maintain that model for the consistency it provides to our online community and the processes we’ve developed.  Whenever there has been a call or a recommendation for a total shutdown, we wrestled with whether we were willing to lock the doors completely, even while many servants were inside the church preparing our online services.  In the end we did not believe that was fair or necessary.  We settled on making people aware of the recommendations coming from various sources and then trusting them to make the best decision for themselves and their families.  In short, we affirm the recommendation to worship online, and we love and support all those who choose that option; however, we will be leading worship on Sunday mornings (as we film live stream / video) and others are welcome to be present and to worship with us. To support those families who make that choice, children’s ministry options will still be available.

Like so many in our world now, we are just trying to make the best of these difficult circumstances, and the challenging choices they require, while trusting that God is still with us and working in all things for His glory and our good. We are deeply grateful for the faithfulness, cooperation, flexibility, generosity, and patience of our congregation and staff during these times.

We praise the Lord and give thanks for all those who are staying connected to Christ and His church via online offerings or in-person options.   Please do not “social distance” from Christ or His church in these days.  We are grateful for the technology which gives us ways for people to worship and grow together through our online community.  Please take advantage of those options if you don’t feel comfortable with in-person options.  Facing this difficult season in a positive way will require you to stay connected to Christ and His church – so please do all you can to maintain that connection, whether online or in-person, and to encourage others to do the same.  Above all, be prayerful and steadfast in your hope.  

God bless you.

Dr. Kelly McClendon, Senior Pastor

November 20, 2020

Dear Immanuel Church Family,

Due to the significant increase in Covid-19 cases in our community, we need to increase our diligence and safety precautions as a way to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors and those in our church family.

Late on Thursday we received a letter from our Bishop asking churches in the Kentucky Conference of the UMC to return to online only worship for at least the next three Sundays. You can find that letter on our website at www.immanuelumc.org/bishopsletter. Please read this carefully. We deeply respect his leadership and faithfulness and desire to preserve the health and well-being of the church families and conference he serves. We share that desire fully. We expect that many churches and church members will make the choice to return to online only worship. We affirm that choice and hope that all who make it will also take full advantage of online opportunities. However, we also believe that each local church situation is unique, and in our setting, given our safety precautions and other issues, we want to preserve an option for people to worship in-person as explained below. Each person will need to prayerfully make the wisest choice possible for themselves and their families. We are praying with you and for you.

Our current model is to live stream our worship services at multiple times in multiple venues each Sunday morning as they happen. We want to maintain that model for the consistency it provides to our online community and the processes we’ve developed. As before, when a call was made for total shutdown, we wrestled with whether we were willing to lock the doors completely, even while many servants were inside the church preparing our online services. In the end we did not believe that was fair or necessary. We settled on making people aware of the recommendations coming from various sources and then trusting them to make the best decision for themselves and their families. In short, the Bishop is calling for a return to online only worship and we support all those who choose that option; however, we will be leading worship on Sunday mornings (as we film live stream / video) and others are welcome to be present and to worship with us. To support those families who make that choice, children’s ministry options will still be available.

On the back of this page, you will also find a notice of a change in our mask policy. To summarize, effective immediately, and until further notice, we will now REQUIRE facial coverings in our facilities at all times (unless a person is actively leading worship or teaching). Pre-K aged children will be exempt (at the discretion of parents). Please read the full statement. We believe this new mandate is essential for us to continue to safely offer in-person options for worship and discipleship ministries. We appreciate your full cooperation.

Like so many in our world now, we are just trying to make the best of these difficult circumstances, and the challenging choices they require, while trusting that God is still with us and working in all things for His glory and our good. We are deeply grateful for the faithfulness, cooperation, flexibility, generosity, and patience of our congregation and staff during these times. We praise the Lord and give thanks for all those who are staying connected to Christ and His church via online offerings or in-person options. We are grateful for the technology which allows us to provide ways for people to worship and grow together through our online community – so please take advantage of those options if you don’t feel comfortable with in-person options. Facing this difficult season in a positive way will require you to stay connected to Christ and His church – so please do all you can to maintain that connection, whether online or in-person.

Please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic, for the recovery of those already ill, for those who are grieving, for those in leadership, and for the many facing the unique obstacles in light of closures and other responses. As we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, which will present new challenges and choices for families, we are still called to remember that God is good and that our blessings continue to outnumber our burdens. We have so much to be grateful for – and chief among those things are Christ and our church family. We love you, and give thanks for you, each and every day.

God bless you.

Dr. Kelly McClendon, Senior Pastor (on behalf of the Immanuel Executive Team and Ministerial Staff)

Dear Members and friends of Immanuel,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As you may know, we are planning to offer some new options for in-person worship starting Sunday, June 14, 2020.  The schedule will be different (for at least the summer), and we will be taking special precautions due to the pandemic.   However, many of the elements you have long known and loved will still be present.  If you choose to gather with us, I trust God will be honored, and you will be blessed.

As you may also know, we will continue to offer online worship each Sunday and other discipleship options throughout the week.  Our online worship will move to three live presentations from our Lakeside Park campus (as outlined in the following pages) and will be available on demand afterwards.  If you choose to continue worshiping online, we trust that God will be honored, and you will be blessed.  Please read and study the following pages and then pray and think carefully about which worship options are best for you and your family. 

The phrase, “These are unprecedented times” is becoming trite, but it is still somewhat true.  We are learning each day to navigate unfamiliar paths, often relying on seemingly contradictory information as the basis for our decisions.  Whatever leaders choose to do, some will think it too much, while others will think it too little.  Some will think we are moving too soon, while others will think we are moving too slowly.  Our ministry staff and members of our Church Council have humbly prayed, searched the scriptures, and also listened to guidance from the best sources known to us from among church leaders, medical professionals, and state and federal officials to develop a plan to begin re-entering our facilities.  Note the reference to humility.  I heard a wise person say, “I’m not exactly sure what needs to be done, and if you disagree with my position, you may be right.”   We offer the following plans as our best sense of what is wise and helpful based on what we know at this time, in the humble recognition that more changes are likely as we go along.

We may not all agree on every detail in the following Immanuel Re-entry plans, but please know that we love you, we love our community, and we will continue in this love however, and from wherever, you choose to participate in this church family.  Above all we love the Lord who calls us to worship, and ministry, and spiritual growth – all of which we can continue to do in some meaningful way whether we gather in-person or gather online during this unique season. 

Near the start of this pandemic I shared information about how Immanuel was closed briefly during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918.  It was a hard year for our church family due to the First World War (this congregation was still predominately German) on top of a global pandemic.  In that instance the church suspended gathering for worship for four weeks in the fall of that year.  So far, we’ve suspended in-person worship gatherings for twelve weeks.  When this started, very few assumed it would go on this long, and now we are left to wonder if it has been long enough or not. 

For some the benefits of gathering for in-person worship outweigh the known risks, but each person will need to make their decision about what level of risk they are willing to assume, and still respect the choices of others.  Whether you worship in-person or online, please do not neglect worship, and do not neglect investing in your relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.  Continue to share grace and love toward everyone and to do good.  This pandemic has the potential to draw you closer to Christ, or to pull you away, depending largely on how you choose to spend your time and where you focus your attention.  I encourage you to spend time investing in your spiritual health and to keep your eyes focused on the Lord who is our great hope for health and healing in our troubled world during these “unprecedented times.”   May God bless you all. 

With the love of Jesus,   

Kelly McClendon

Immanuel Senior Pastor

https://immanuelumc.org/covid19-pastoral-letters/plan-for-partial-re-entry-to-immanuel-facilities

OVERVIEW OF PARTIAL RE-ENTRY TO CHURCH FACILITIES
and New in-Person Worship Options

We have some exciting new options for our church family and community – including in-person worship options at both campuses (in addition to ongoing online options and new live worship options).  While we are working hard to minimize any health risks, we cannot eliminate them completely.  Please pray and carefully consider the best options for you and your family.  Whether you choose to worship online, or in any of the special in-person options (with pandemic precautions), we’re grateful you are a part of Immanuel.   Your health (spiritual and physical) is of paramount importance to your church family and we love you in Jesus’ name.  Please carefully read this overview and associated safety precautions.  

New in-person worship options will begin on Sunday June 14, 2020 (in addition to ongoing and new online options).   Please read further for worship guidelines and what to expect.   

 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS:

• Social Distancing:  Anyone coming to the church must practice social distancing at all times (6 feet between family groups or individuals).  

• Masks should be worn at all times.   All Staff and volunteers will wear masks except when actively leading worship (or working in private offices).  You should bring a mask from home, but we will have disposable masks available to distribute.   Preschool children should not wear masks due to associated health risks, however, older children may wear masks at their parent’s discretion.[ii]

• If you are in a high-risk category, we encourage you to continue worshiping with us online.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines high-risk populations as:

o    Individuals over 65

o    Individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, and asthma

o    Individuals whose immune system is compromised (e.g. cancer, chemo and radiation therapy)

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE:

Lakeside Park Campus (All three services will be live streamed for our online community)  

• 8:30 a.m.  Traditional Worship (main Sanctuary)

• 10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship (Wesley Hall)

• 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship (main Sanctuary)

Boone Campus:  11:00 a.m. (Sanctuary)

Special Precautions and Information for In-person Worship Options:

Guidance will be offered as needed each Sunday by church staff and hospitality volunteers so please don’t worry that this will be too complicated.   If you come on time, wear a mask, and remember to practice social distancing, you should be able to navigate, but please read on for more details.

• Each worship space will be limited to a maximum occupancy, but if we reach capacity, overflow spaces will be available to watch a live stream of the service with others while you are still on-site. 

• In Wesley Hall – family groups and / or individuals should maintain a distance equal to three empty chairs between them.  The chairs have already been positioned for social distancing.  We hope to have ushers help to seat people, but your cooperation with this will be very important.

• In the Lakeside Park Sanctuary - every other pew is marked closed; however, you will need to use your best judgement to maintain a distance of 6 feet between family groups in the open pews. 

• At the Boone campus - family groups and / or individuals should maintain a distance equal to three empty chairs between them.  The chairs have already been positioned for social distancing.

• Entry points: Lakeside Park Campus - for Sanctuary worship, please use the Welcome Center or the Arcadia side door (white); for Wesley Hall, please use the Welcome Center or exterior Wesley Hall doors.  Boone Campus - please use either the main entrance or the preschool breezeway entrance.

Other worship notes:

• Children should worship with their families (no child-care available, but online options will continue).  We hope we will be able to resume special activities for children in mid-July (more info later).

• No coffee, food, or other communal items will be shared or offered by the church during the summer (until further notice).  You are welcome to bring your own coffee for yourself or immediate family.

• Feel free to Dress casually – wearing a mask and a shirt and tie or fancy clothes is a bit much to ask!

• Greeting – we will not have a formal greeting time, however, if you wish to greet others please use no-contact options like “air hugs” or “air wave / high fives” which social distancing. 

• Bathrooms will be limited to two persons at a time (please wash / sanitize hands before & after use). 

• Baskets for Giving will be stationary and available when entering or leaving worship spaces.  We encourage you to continue giving online as much as possible.

• Bulletins will be carefully placed on the seats before any services.

• We will limit the size of music ensembles and praise bands and will practice careful social distancing.

• Congregation members will be at least 15+ feet from any worship leaders during the services.

• No in-person small groups or other activities will occur on Sundays (until further notice)

• We will implement new procedures for celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion in July.

• Wearing masks is especially important for congregational singing, or whenever social distancing is difficult (which is often).  Please do not join in congregational singing unless wearing a mask.

• People are discouraged from mingling inside the church before and after worship services.

Online Worship: Once in-person worship begins, our online community will be able to watch a “live” presentation of any of our three services from our Lakeside Park Campus each Sunday (or on demand at any time after) on our website: https://immanuelumc.org/live-stream; or our You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHpTlcy20UJ8Co4yu-wEUjg (check out playlists); or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/immanuelnky/ 

Boone Campus - Due to technological limitations IBC worship will not be available online. If you wish to continue worshiping online only – you may continue to view any of the Lakeside options.

Other Precautions and General Health Issues: 

• You should take your temperature before coming to church (must be <100.4).  If you cannot, or forget, volunteers will also be available to assist you with a no-touch thermometer. 

• If you are feeling ill or if you have been exposed to an active case of Covid-19 please worship online and seek medical attention. 

• Sanitizers - We have installed several new hand sanitizing stations around the church.

• Each and every gathering space used in the church will be carefully disinfected between each use with EPA and CDC approved cleaning materials and processes.

• Most interior doors will be propped open to decrease sanitation needs.

• Please wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as often as possible or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes (if you do please sanitize again).

• Cover coughs/sneezes with your arm (into elbow fold) or a tissue.

• Avoid exposure to others who you know are sick as much as possible.

• Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

Other Facilities Re-Entry Issues:

• The Church office will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The church doors will remain locked.  At our Lakeside Park Campus please use the main Welcome Center doors and wait for the door to be opened automatically or use the buzzer to request entrance.  Please wait in the Welcome Center for a staff member to offer assistance.  At our Boone Campus the office hours are irregular, so please check with Pastor Chad if you need access to the building. 

• Private School of Music lessons have resumed onsite with careful social distancing guidelines (while online options are still continuing).

• Small outdoor youth gatherings (< 10) are resuming, as well as some other special youth events with careful attention to social distancing guidelines (online options will also continue). 

• Recovery Groups have resumed meeting with social distancing.  (Note: Due the unique challenge of addictions, Recovery groups are considered to be a mission outreach priority)

Resurgence and Outbreaks: 

Immanuel will be prepared to resume online-only worship if there is a significant resurgence of Covid-19 in our state or community.  This response will be determined by our Church Council in consultation with denominational leaders, and in consideration of State and / or Federal guidelines.  We plan to continue offering online worship and discipleship options for the foreseeable future.

[i] This information is adapted from “Covid-19 / Novel Coronavirus Pandemic Precautions” as approved by the Immanuel Church Council, May 31, 2020.  Effective June 1, 2020.  The original text is available by request to the church office.

[ii] We are trying to find a balance in guidelines from various sources while being as cautious and practical as possible with regards to masks.  One important source comes from Dr. Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, who has suggested that the use of masks is most essential when you are unable to maintain social distancing.  She stated, "Out of respect for each other, as Americans that care for each other, we need to be wearing masks in public when we cannot social distance."  These guidelines follow her advice on this point and assumes that the use of masks is currently the best-known preventative practice.