Coronavirus Update: still masking, but expect changes soon

February 26, 2022

“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering,

for he who has promised is faithful.”

-- Hebrews 10:23

Dear Members and Friends of Atonement,

This week, we heard news that many parts of the country fall under new recommended CDC guidance regarding mask wearing. Although it was discouraging to find that Pasco County was not included in this category, we believe that falling COVID rates will soon put us there. As of today, Pasco is still listed as a “High Risk” county on the CDC website. In this category, all people “regardless of vaccination status or individual risk” are still asked to wear a mask indoors in public. Therefore, we are not yet making a change to our current request that all worshipers wear masks at Atonement.

However, we also have noticed that the number of local cases and the positivity rate for Pasco county are rapidly declining. We expect that we will fall below 6% positivity (as measured on the website covidactnow.org) in the next week or two. You can see for yourself the statistics we are monitoring by going to:

https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/pasco_county/?s=29721832

When we see the positivity rate for Pasco county drop below 6%, we expect to return to allowing non-masked people into the sanctuary. As before, we may again have a section of seating for those who wish to continue wearing masks and social-distancing. We continue to urge all other groups and ministries meeting at the church to stay aware of the various risk factors and use their discretion about masking.

Both the 9:30am and the 11:00am Sunday services are available to view on live stream every Sunday. We will also be live-streaming special services through Lent and Holy Week including Ash Wednesday evening, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday (all at 7pm).

We will continue to inform the congregation of changes through the website, blog, and email. As always, your patience and consideration of our measures to help the most vulnerable among us is appreciated. We are all looking forward to further “opening up” our worship and activities in the near future. With the Lord seeing us through these difficult times, we stand with St. Paul who, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” pressed on with tenacity and hope.

Peace and health,

Pastor Scott Lindner and Council President Conni Kerrigan