Category Archives: Messages from the MCP

Here’s all of the information for our MC Conference to take place via Zoom on Saturday, September 25 at 3:00PM.  Zoom details are at the bottom of the page.

Amiee Wagner will be hosting the meeting entry/log-ins and assisting with the meeting.  Here are some comments for your consideration.

• Please note the CB Association voted to revise the bylaws to reduce the number of board members. We will only be electing one board member and one alternate at our meeting.
• Free reunion didn’t get a test before Covid hit so we are planning to start it in 2022 for a three year test.
• Pastors and CFO’s have already received the preliminary budget information and the attached information is now the proposal.
• Please email any serious questions about our financial status to Gary Waggoner or me before the conference, as he will be out of state the weekend of conference. (I will not comment on why our MCFO is going to be out of state when we address our financial situation…)
• CB lost a camp for 2022 and is projecting a budget shortfall of about $20K. The two mission centers are proposing a $10K donation from each of us. Plus, the EPA has cited us for some sewer infractions and we will likely be spending some additional funds over the next few months to get in compliance.
• The youth budget is double the one approved for 2021. Our intent is to make all youth camps and retreats free for all WOMC located youth. Some congregations may choose to continue subsidizing their youth and the MC will partner with them as needed.

Please invite your congregation to log in to the meeting and also share this package with them.

Blessings,

Vern

Join Zoom meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/965451372?pwd=bXJZSG53QktUOGZreTk2MDJMVXFqQT09

Meeting ID: 965 451 372

Password: 022680

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,965451372#,,#,022680# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,965451372#,,#,022680# US (New York)

Candy Owens and I have discussed it and we can see no safe way to have fall retreats at this time. We are therefore canceling the retreats and
hoping by next March we can have an environment where it’s safe to gather again.

Blessings,

Vern

Greetings, all:

Several congregations reopened yesterday and I’ve received feedback from some of you.  Thank you for sending it.  Some mentioned singing. Some apologized for their service going too long (over 45 minutes) and some mentioned that they stayed too long after church ended because they were having such a good time.

I thought I might restate the “rules” so none of you feel any sense of guilt or judgment.

The rules really are that those who have been fully vaccinated have no requirement for masks and distancing. Those who have not should wear masks and maintain social distancing. All should exercise a great deal of caution in their actions and be sure to protect those who are most vulnerable.  Here are the suggestions for activities in order to exercise caution.

• Singing is discouraged but not prohibited. Singing without masks projects aerosols into the air for great distances which can linger for an hour or more. Suggestions to minimize the risks are to not sing, sing with masks, open windows for cross ventilation, increase usage and effectiveness of central air or furnace fans, meet outside or sing fewer hymns. Some congregations have chosen to not sing, some are using masks, some are singing with no restrictions of any kind.
• Wearing of masks for those fully vaccinated is more of a personal choice. Some do it to show solidarity with those who are required to be masked. Some choose to do so for personal reasons. While we know the vaccines are very effective, we don’t know when or if a new variant might arise which is not susceptible to the current vaccines and we don’t know for sure if a currently vaccinated person might be a carrier or even contract the virus even though vaccinated. (We have examples of both.) We do know that there has been an increase in Covid among those under 12 in recent weeks.
• Meeting for no longer than 45 minutes is also a suggestion. It reduces the amount of time people share the same air, reduces the need to use bathrooms – which are typically smaller and less ventilated- and reduces the amount of time people are in closer proximity. Suggestions are to leave immediately after the service and visit outside; visit using some sort of distancing, masking, etc.
• Communion also presents issues with distancing.  One reason we suggest not serving the emblems to one another is it has the possibility of transfers from one person to another in the handling of the trays, emblems, etc. Even using the disposable emblems presents a problem of how to dispose without touching.  Some are asking people to bring their own emblems; some set them out in a way that people may pick up their own without touching anyone else’s emblems, some are using pre-packaged emblems.  Again, there is no set rule other than using extreme caution.

New cases of Covid overall in Ohio have decreased and as of June 5 we were below the goal of 50 per 100K in the state. Please keep an eye on your own counties to be aware of any local issues.  As always, feel free to get in touch with questions.

Vern

Camp Bountiful Board of Directors is hiring a Bookkeeper.  If you are interested please send a summary of your contact information, work experience, and relative skills.  This position is currently vacant and we are looking at filling it as soon as possible.  This is a salaried position.

• part-time approximately 20 hours a month (sometimes more or less)
• QuickBooks knowledge preferred
• basic knowledge of accounting
• give attention to detail
• ability to work independently but also with Board Treasurer, Camp Manager & others as needed
• ability to meet time sensitive deadlines
• access to a reliable computer and printer/scanner
• will be trained on payroll – previous experience a plus

Send summary and/or questions to Randie Marsh, Board President randiecrossmarsh@gmail.com  OR call 513-324-0757 with questions.

Western Ohio MC is sponsoring a Canopy Tour from
ZipZone, 7925 N. High, Columbus OH, on Sept 25 at 9:30am (starting time
may change depending on how many participants we have).

We have been monitoring the Covid situation and feel, with precautions
and the fact nearly all will be outdoors, we can safely do this. Masks
will be required for undercover gatherings. The gear is disinfected
after each use.  Here are the details:

Cost – free for youth and for parents of youth who are zipping. Normal
cost is $79 per person.

Limited to persons age 7 and above and weighing between 50 and 270 lbs.
Age 11 and younger must have a parent or guardian accompanying. Waivers
are required for all.

We will have pizza afterwards.

More details about ZipZone are at zipzonetours.com

Please register with me (vcf@fuse.net)  no later than August 29. We will
determine if we have enough – or too many – participants by Sept. 1.

After consultation with several people, including the CB Board chair,
former camp directors and others, Candy and I have come to the decision
that we will cancel all Community of Christ summer camps for 2021.

The decision was not made lightly, but a combination of issues,
including distancing, ventilation of sleeping quarters, sanitation
requirements, dining concerns, safety with programs, availability of
directors and staff, medical personnel and other factors as identified
by the American Camping Association and Center for Disease Control made
cancellation the safest choice at this time. Decisions regarding fall
retreats will be made sometime during the summer.

We expect a decision on Spec to be made in May.

We realize the graduating seniors from 2020 and 2021 will have missed
their last opportunity to participate in Sr Hi camp. We hope to find a
way for a gathering for them once it is safe to meet again.

Blessings,

Vern

After careful consideration of global pandemic recovery trends and consultations with field leaders and health professionals, the Community of Christ First Presidency has decided to delay 2022 World Conference until 2023.

Upholding our Enduring Principles in light of the collective information we have at this given time, it was wise to delay the next World Conference until delegates from around the world can safely travel, enter the USA, meet together, and return without contributing to community spread of COVID-19 or its emerging variants.

Read the full statement and Questions and Answers.