Zion E-News (Special Edition)

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Dear Zion Family,

We value people over programs or events at Zion. God’s commandment to love our neighbors means that we need to watch out for one another, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, including people over the age of 60 and those with immunosuppression, lung and heart conditions, diabetes and more.

I want to update you on our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), especially as it moves into Michigan. We are closely monitoring information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).

In the spirit of proactivity and at the recommendation of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we have decided to cancel worship and all events face-to-face ministry events through March 26. This includes any private bookings of our facilities beginning on Sunday, March 15. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as is prudent. We will continue to run both Hand2Hand and the Personal Care Pantry as we know many are dependent on these services.

In lieu of gathered worship, we encourage our community to participate in home worship. You may want to do so with Zion friends who live nearby, with your small group, or your immediate family. Resources for corporate worship are available at our church website.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you:

  • Patients with COVID-19 experience mild to severe respiratory symptoms, which can include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Stay home from work, school, or other activities if you feel at all ill, even if your symptoms are mild. 
  • Take advantage of Spectrum’s free virtual screenings if you feel ill.
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cough or sneeze into a clean tissue whenever possible or into your bent elbow if a tissue is unavailable.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Per CDC recommendations, avoid close contact with others whenever possible.
  • If you believe you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, we would be grateful to know.
  • If you have not done so yet, now is a great time to consider setting up online giving so that we can continue supporting missionaries around the world and also our local ministries like Hand2Hand and the Personal Care Pantry during this time.

Here are a few useful links:

We hope to resume normal activity soon and will update you as the situation evolves. While this is a serious virus that requires thoughtful response, we believe that God does not give us a spirit of fear but of love (2 Timothy 1:7). We value the well-being of every person who belongs to this community, we wish to exercise wisdom, and we put our trust in Christ alone.

Grace & peace,

Pastor Greg