An Update on Public Health Protocols at First Presbyterian Church of Athens
October 22, 2021
Dear friends in Christ,
As you may recall, the Athens-Clarke County Commission’s declaration of a local state of emergency states that the indoor mask ordinance is in force when the Centers for Disease Control reports a seven-day case rate equal to or above 100 per 100,000 residents. On Wednesday, October 20, the CDC reported a seven-day case rate for Athens-Clarke County of 77.92, down from 96.63 the week prior.
Throughout the pandemic, the session has asked that all members and friends follow the local indoor mask ordinance. At present, the ordinance is not in force; therefore, masks are encouraged but not required in the building with the exception of the nursery, Weekday School, and children’s and youth ministry areas. Masks for vocal ensembles will continue at the discretion of the Director of Music.
At present there is some divergence among the protocols enacted by our peer institutions and the places where we work, live, and send our children to school. While masks have become a flashpoint in the culture, it need not be so for us. Let us remember the words of Ephesians as we “bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
May the peace of Christ be with you and yours,
Dr. Ryan Baer, Senior Pastor