Mission Preparedness Team 8-17

Dear Congregation of Westend,

Beginning in March, so many of our work and family routines experienced a drastic change due to COVID-19. The last five months have been difficult.

The Administrative Board and Westend staff have been working on your behalf to adapt worship and ministry methods. Some of the changes seem like a negative – not worshipping in our sanctuary and not being able to gather together with our church family. Other changes have created new opportunities to engage and bless, like online access to Sunday morning worship services and the goodie baskets delivered to some of our shut-ins.

Though the Ad. Board and staff have spent many hours in discussions regarding COVID’s past, present, and future impact on our ministries, we realize regular communication about those discussions has been missing. We apologize and will do better.

Here is an update from our recent Administrative Board meeting:

  • A Reopening Committee was formed to write a step-by-step plan that will be used to guide Westend toward safe, indoor worship. The plan will be presented to the Ad. Board for consideration in October.
    • The committee is led by Doug Stapley.
    • The Reopening Committee and Ad. Board will provide regular communication to the congregation.
    • The Reopening Committee will also be making specific plans for our other ministries, such as Sunday School and Westend Wednesday activities.
  • Outdoor worship will continue until at least October, longer if weather allows.
  • Our normal fall ministries (GEMS, Sunday School, Cadets, etc.) will not begin in person until at least October. 

We understand and acknowledge the deep desire to worship inside, especially with fall and winter approaching.  We long for this return to normal in our lives.  At the same time, this desire for normalcy must be balanced with our Christian desire to respect the life, health and safety of others.  Our collective actions can protect others if done wisely.

Please continue to pray for our church, our country, and our world.  Please also pray for your church leaders that our Heavenly Father may bless us with wisdom, courage, and discernment.

In His Name,

Westend CRC Administrative Board

Reopening Committee

  • Doug Stapley – Chair
  • Julie Bulson
  • Jeremy Marsman
  • Jane VanDepol
  • Faye Kragt
  • Luke Verbeek
  • Luanne Hoekzema