Pineridge Blog

Masks


What would Jesus do in response to the updated CDC guidance which removes all mask mandates?

In Matthew Jesus said, “Mask and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find.  Knock and the door shall be opened to you;”

In Luke Jesus said, “If you know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will my Father in Heaven give to those who mask?

All kidding aside, for Christians of all hues, masking is more of a spiritual issue than simply a matter of personal preference.  Protecting our own health is one thing, but Jesus was always more concerned about the most vulnerable—the children, the elderly, the poor and the sick.

Matthew 25 includes the parable of the sheep and the goats in which the sheep (m)ask, “’When did we give you something to eat or drink?  When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?’  The king will answer, ‘Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.’” (CEV)

Following the most recent CDC guidance, the Session voted this week to remove all capacity limits. We do not expect or encourage a sudden rush to return, but this will allow for people to participate in more in-person activities as they feel safe and ready. The Session trusts all to use good judgement. 

Masks are no longer required, however our signs now read, “Masks are preferred.” Especially now when some parents are just able to take a breath and think about getting themselves or their kids vaccinated when school is out. Also, for those who may not be able to take the vaccine yet due to medical complications. You will be getting a survey soon to help us all understand where we are as a congregation in the vaccination process. It will only collect totals with no individual information.

For this hybrid time, we will offer livestream worship indefinitely even as we return to in-person services.  This week the new Hybrid meeting space should be set up in the Chapel to allow both in-person and Zoom attendance in classes, meetings and gatherings of all kinds.

It is great to see people coming back, even wearing masks, because the greatest protection your mask offers is for others.