Staying Safe & Caring

FROM THE PASTOR'S STUDY:
 
Greetings First Congregational Church of Spencerport family and friends!  I trust that you are staying safe and staying home.  As you know by now, we are living in a new virtual world—a world where a lot of meetings, interactions, worship services, weddings, etc. are being done via Zoom, Facebook Live, Skype, WhatsApp, and so many other apps and devices.  So—How are you handling all of this?  I have to admit, the first several weeks were a little stressful.  It was hard for me to shift from face-to-face interactions to mostly all online interactions; however, in order for us to stay healthy and stay safe, it was something that had to be done. 
 
Furthermore, even once this global pandemic (COVID-19), has been tamed, we will still most likely have to use technology to interact with each other for some time in order to prevent another outbreak/second wave.  With that being said, I want to encourage my church family and friends to keep using Zoom, Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, and other avenues to check on your family and friends.  For many folks, this is a very difficult time—to be isolated from family and friends.  So, make it your mission to check on your loved-ones.  I know for sure that they would appreciate your time and effort.  I have been making it my mission to call family members who I would not have previously called if it had not been for the social restrictions that we are under.
 
Finally, I am going to leave you with some encouraging words from the Apostle Paul: Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other…(Romans 12:9-10). 
 
Pastor Michael L. Sloan