GCC Family,

As I write this, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reports 10 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana, representing seven Indiana counties. (None in Hamilton, Madison, or Hancock!)

At this time, our Sunday schedule will continue as normally scheduled, pending further notice.   We are closely monitoring information and guidance from officials with the ISDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  We will prayerfully determine on a day-to-day basis whether further steps are needed and update accordingly.  


Take Precautions

We will be disinfecting door handles and other "high germ" areas more regularly with Clorox wipes.  We already do a lot of this, especially in the preschool and children's areas, but we will make sure we keep it up, as well as expand the areas in which this is done. For Sunday mornings, we recommend continuing personal hygiene that is consistent with standard, flu-season precautions including:

    • thorough and regular hand washing
    • limit personal contact when greeting others (no handshakes, hugs, or especially "holy kisses”) :)
    • if you have to cough or sneeze, please cover your face.  
    • use the hand sanitizer that is available throughout our church building


Risk-Related Guidance for Sunday Morning Participation  

Based on guidance from the CDC, we request you do not attend Sunday gatherings if you meet any of the following conditions:  

    • Have had flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting) in the past 14 days
    • Have been in close contact with someone with flu-like symptoms in the past 14 days  
    • Have traveled internationally within the past 14 days
    • Have traveled recently to domestic areas that have been highly affected by the coronavirus in the past 14 days

Additionally, if the virus spreads to our local area we suggest using personal wisdom regarding your own attendance, especially if you are in any of these at-risk categories:  

    •  Older adults
    •  People who have serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease
    •  Immunosuppressed individuals (people with recent or upcoming surgeries; people on autoimmune treatments, including steroids; people with impaired heart, kidney, or liver function; or people going through cancer treatment)
    • Direct caregivers of at-risk individuals


Most importantly - PRAY. Pray for protection and for those who are ill.  No illness - including COVID-19 or any other virus - is outside of the bounds of God's power and sovereignty.  So let's use the most powerful weapon we have against it, prayer.  Pray especially for those who are very young, older people, and those with underlying health conditions, who are especially vulnerable to contagious illnesses and their impact.

Every trial, adversity, sickness, pain, etc. is yet another opportunity to trust our God who is sovereign over all things, including sickness.  To that end, I encourage you to read this excellent article that grounds us all in the truth of Scripture.

What a privilege it is to gather together every single Sunday. It's remarkable to think that since the the book of Acts Christians have been gathering each Sunday all over the world, in times of war, peace, famine, plenty, hot, cold...and even during pandemics. As Christians, Jesus has destroyed our fear of death (Heb. 2:14–15), and our hope in the resurrection is a testimony to an anxious and fearful world. We also recognize with the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:24–26 that we have work to do in this world which requires our life and health!

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Matt