Well, CHUMC family, we continue to worship online through at least the month, and once we open it will be in stages so it may be some time before things return to normal. One other result of our current circumstances has been the inability to have an all-church meeting so I thought I would give you an update on a few things going on at CHUMC.
Church Council – A Reopening Team was appointed to put together a detailed plan for when we can gather in our building again. That team is hard at work putting the plan together. Your response to the survey emailed last week will assist in that effort.
Finance 1 – Thus far, our finances have been sustainable despite the pandemic. The German International School of Dallas (GISD) had to close in mid-March as we did and we have waived their rental since that time and that is a significant portion of our revenue, but your continued and increased commitment to supporting CHUMC has kept us from hardships thus far. Continuing your commitment will be vital in the coming months.
Finance 2 – We were able to obtain a Payroll Protection Program loan so that has been a boon for keeping our staff at their current salaries. The loan comes with a minimal 1% interest rate and we should be able to obtain forgiveness for the loan by using the loan for the items for which it was intended.
Missions & Outreach – Sack Summer Hunger starts this week. See the announcement in the newsletter for additional information. We raised $3,149 to support a family from Chapel Hill Preparatory Academy with rent and utility payments with remaining funds going to Metrocrest Services. A team cut and sewed cloth masks for all our members with more available for those who may need them.
Trustees – GISD will need to be sequestered in the south wing for safety until the pandemic passes. We will be temporarily relocating the nursery and children’s Sunday School room to the north wing. We are also looking into upgrading the alarm system to better protect the building and allow GISD to disarm the alarm without entering the rest of the building.
Project Transformation – The program starts online this week. The PT staff and volunteers will be distributing food via drive-thru in June and July at CHUMC. See the announcement in the newsletter for further details.
Youth – Adam and Jim have been meeting with the youth two to three times a week via Zoom video conference. They are starting a book club and reading The Hate U Give and are doing a bible study using Adam Hamilton’s The Walk which the Thursday night group studied and Class Menagerie began before the shutdown. Bridgeport Camp has been closed this summer, but the youth will participate in camp online.
Children – The children have had occasional Kid’s Club videos to watch. They will also soon be doing a children’s version of Adam Hamilton’s The Walk via Zoom video conference.
Worship – A relatively small repair will be performed on the organ soon to determine if we will be able to effectively use the organ in worship. You have likely noticed on the live stream that we have had some sound issues. We are getting the soundbar looked at to determine if any maintenance or repairs are needed.
SPRC – If you have worshipped with us online since Easter, you have seen and heard Blair King, our new choir director, at work. You have also learned that Berenice’s internship appointment has changed. She is going to Lovers Lane UMC starting June 1. Adam Lubbers will begin his seminary internship with us in August, taking on responsibilities in addition to the youth.
GISD – Michaela Ward announced earlier in the year she was stepping down as GISD director to return to Germany. GISD has promoted Annegret Richardson to be their new director.
Small Groups – There have been a few adults who expressed an interest in reading The Hate U Give which the youth are reading. Plans are being made for an online book club for adults. More details to follow.
This is a challenging year but, as you can see, we keep seeking how we can move forward and be most prepared when we gather again. Please remain in prayer for CHUMC as we continue to navigate the choppy waters which we navigate.
Grace and peace,
Rev. J.D. Allen
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