Jan 11, 2022
Dear Members and friends of the First Congregational Church in Hanson,
I congratulate you all on your bearing up under the long-term challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The irony of the first call (22 months ago) from the government for us all to shelter in place for 14 days “in order to flatten the curve” produces wry smiles at best.
We are currently going through a serious spike in cases of the disease. While the new strains appear to be less virulent, the experience of several people within the congregation who have contracted it demonstrates that this is nothing to be trifled with.
Early on in the pandemic, I preached through the First Letter of St. Peter. I had been drawn to the letter by its insistence that we are temporary residents on this earth, which I believed timely as much of the things we usually looked to for fulfillment from this life were forbidden during our isolations. However, the lasting lesson for many has been the Apostle’s insistence that we obey those in positions of human authority (where they do not directly contradict the word of God). St. Peter wrote, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” (1 Peter 2:13)
In keeping with that spirit, I share with you this paragraph from the Mayo Clinic website regarding the guidelines promoted by the Center for Disease Control:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends fabric masks for the general public. If you’re fully vaccinated and are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded areas or when you are in close contact with unvaccinated people. People who haven’t been fully vaccinated should wear face masks indoors and outdoors where there is a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as crowded events or large gatherings. The CDC says that surgical N95 masks should be reserved for health care providers. Respirators such as KN95s and non-surgical N95s can be used by the general public when supplies are available.
What You Need to Know:
- Everyone ages 5 and older can get vaccinated against COVID-19. Learn how to find a COVID-19 vaccine.
- COVID-19 vaccines are effective at helping protect against severe disease and death from the virus that causes COVID-19, including known variants currently circulating (e.g., Delta variant).
- The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks, which are rare. As with other routine vaccines, side effects may occur after vaccination. These are normal and should go away within a few days.
- People who are fully vaccinated can resume many activities they did before the pandemic. However, people should wear a mask indoors in public if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
Please be careful and show concern for your neighbor as our Lord has commanded (Mark 12:31).
Let us continue to be in prayer that this scourge may pass quickly, and the earth freed from its grip.
Your servant for Jesus sake,
Pastor Peter Smith