LCG: Gerald Weston...COVID hits close to home

From an LCG source:

Dear Brethren and Fellow Servants of God,

Here in the United States, as in some other areas of the world, governments are beginning to ease up on COVID-related restrictions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to leave it up to each business to decide on what to require regarding face coverings has obviously put pressure on other states to do the same and several have followed suit.

Leaders here in Charlotte met with Texas pastors Gary Stein and Rick Stafford on March 4 to discuss what to do going forward. We had a free discussion, hearing all sides of the question, and decided it would be best to bring all U.S. Regional Pastors into the discussion. We held that meeting this past Wednesday, March 10.

I opened both meetings by reviewing how the Church, once we understood more about what we were dealing with, opened up for services everywhere we could. Where possible, we chose to continue with planned summer camps for our children. The Feast of Tabernacles was a success, in part due to decisions made early on that were not popular with all, but which, in retrospect, made it possible for the greatest number of brethren and families to attend a wonderful Feast. We have been in favor of opening up as much as we can, while still streaming services for individuals and areas where needed. We have left the decision to attend in person during this difficult time to the individual to make based on personal concerns and risk factors.

Most areas where we meet require social distancing, size-limited groups, and face coverings. Those requirements are being relaxed by some governments, but not necessarily by our meeting facilities. Whatever the requirements or lack thereof, our main concern is the health and well-being of our members. We have many elderly and others with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart issues, and obesity. In discussing our path forward with the Regional Pastors, we found that we have a variety of circumstances in the Church, but many of the men felt it was a little premature to drop our COVID-related protocols too quickly. While we are not aware of members getting sick from attending our live services, members and their extended families are still getting sick.

Let me add a personal comment here. My wife takes a 31⁄2 mile walk most mornings with several ladies in the neighborhood and was exposed to the virus from one of them. Several days later, Carol did not feel well and tested positive for COVID. I was tested the next day and came back negative. Carol felt a little under the weather for about a week, but is now back to her long walks and doing well. Our neighbor who unknowingly exposed her is back to normal, but her husband is not doing well. It has been about 11 days since I was clearly exposed, and I have had no symptoms that would indicate a problem, other than what appeared to be my usual seasonal allergies.

Carol and I have self-quarantined for two Sabbaths and, unless I can get tested in time, will probably miss attending in person for one more Sabbath. I have not made this generally known until now as I did not wish to cause concern among any of you. While my wife and I are in a risk category due to age, God seems to have been merciful to both of us. The point I want to make is that COVID has not gone away just because a few government mandates have. Even now, new, more contagious strains are beginning to circulate and bear watching.

Yet, brethren, we cannot hole up in caves forever. We have over 200 members now meeting safely here in Charlotte, some with a variety of pre-existing conditions and risk factors. Not a one of us wants to wear a mask indefinitely, yet we must also keep in mind that our decisions affect others: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3–5).

By the meeting’s end, we decided to meet again in three to four weeks, after the Days of Unleavened Bread, to consider modifying our current protocols, based on how things develop. In the meantime, we continue opening up areas for services wherever possible, planning for summer camps, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Thank you for your prayers and let us continue to stand together as we see this challenge through.

Sincerely, in Christ’s service, Gerald E. Weston