Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Greetings this Lenten season in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Great Healer. These are trying times but we believe that these and all times are firmly in the hands of our loving God. We pray that God will defeat this virus speedily, cause protective measures to succeed, grant all that are sick wholeness and healing, comfort those who mourn, guard and protect all health workers and first responders, calm all fears or anxiety and give us all the peace that passes all human understanding.
I write to inform you about changes in Marion Ministerial Alliance ministries.
1. MMA Soup Kitchen will operate on a Carry Out system only beginning Monday, March 16. Our dining room will be closed starting Monday March 16th due to the recent health scare. However, we will be handing out a hot meal in a take out box at the front door for anyone needing a meal. On Tuesday, our Food Pantry pick up days, you will be able to come in the side door one at a time and pick up your food. Thank you for understanding. Together we can get control of this virus and hopefully be back to normal soon. Church volunteers will still be needed to help prepare the food but maybe not all will be needed for distribution or clean up. We are playing this by ear, so things may change. We will keep you informed. First Presbyterian Church has this week on the calendar and is prepared to serve.
2. The MMA Volunteer Appreciation gathering scheduled for March 16 is canceled. We will seekto schedule another one at a later date once this crisis has passed.
3. The remaining MMA Tuesday Community Lenten Services are canceled. We are holding off on canceling the Good Friday Service until later. That service is brief and does not include food service, but we will see what the situation is by April 10. As much as we all enjoy worshiping as an ecumenical group, it is not necessary for us to meet and our clientele is mostly in the “high risk” category.
We pray God’s peace and blessing on your ministries. Be safe out there!
God’s Peace,
Pastor Marlin Otte, President MMA