PCC COVID-19 Update (8/17/21)
This update clarifies changes to our mask policy based on the latest recommendations from the CDC and the VA Department of Health
PCC COVID-19 Update (5/19/21)
This update clarifies our current mask policy. There are some minor changes in language from our previous update on 5/15/21. The reason for these minor changes is because on 5/18/21 we received clarification from the Governor's Office on the question of whether masks were "required" or "recommended" for not vaccinated and not fully vaccinated people under Executive Order 72. It was clarified that masks were recommended and strongly encouraged but not required for those who are not vaccinated and not fully vaccinated in our setting. Please watch the video for additional guidance on how we can love one another well and eagerly maintain unity in our church body during this season.
PCC COVID-19 Update (5/15/21)
Dear Church Family,
As you may have heard, last night (5/14) Governor Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To help you make a more informed decision about how you will participate in gathered worship tomorrow, the PCC Board of Elders want to let you know what to expect.
Tomorrow morning all the regular COVID safety measures that we have been conducting like physical distancing, room max capacities, asking people who are not feeling well to worship at home, and the cleaning of chairs between services will continue EXCEPT masks will no longer be required for those who have been fully vaccinated. To determine if you have been fully vaccinated, see here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html#vaccinated.
All those who have not been fully vaccinated should wear a mask over their nose and mouth whenever they are in the building in accordance with both CDC Guidance (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html) and with Section II of Executive Order 72 (https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-72-SEVENTH-AMENDED-and-Order-of-Public-Health-Emergency-Nine-Easing-of-Commonsense-Surge-Restrictions-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf). This is in alignment with the current Executive Order.
We realize that this change feels sudden, but we have always relied upon guidance from both the CDC and the Governor to determine our COVID policies and procedures and that is what we are continuing to do. We have sought to navigate this season with wisdom and with sensitivity to the various opinions represented in our church body.
Thank you for working so hard on your end to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3). We cannot tell you how thankful we are for the wisdom, maturity, charity, and grace that has been demonstrated among this church family. Thank you for loving each other so well and for not allowing differences in opinions on vaccines or masks to rupture the unity we have in the Gospel.
People’s comfort levels are going to vary. It is likely that there will be a mixture of people wearing masks and not wearing masks at worship services for a while. Please strive to respect the decisions of others and to not make assumptions regarding the circumstances or motives of other people.
In summary, if you have been fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is optional. If you have not been fully vaccinated, please wear a mask while you are inside the building. Thank you in advance for working with us as we do our best to continue ministry in a way that honors God, our neighbors, and the governing authorities.
We are looking forward to worshiping with you in person and if you cannot join us in person, we hope you will stay connected by viewing the livestream. We are eagerly looking forward to the day when all of us will be able to worship together in person and unmasked!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Sincerely and on behalf of the PCC Board of Elders,
Garrett Spitz
Lead Pastor
As you may have heard, last night (5/14) Governor Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To help you make a more informed decision about how you will participate in gathered worship tomorrow, the PCC Board of Elders want to let you know what to expect.
Tomorrow morning all the regular COVID safety measures that we have been conducting like physical distancing, room max capacities, asking people who are not feeling well to worship at home, and the cleaning of chairs between services will continue EXCEPT masks will no longer be required for those who have been fully vaccinated. To determine if you have been fully vaccinated, see here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html#vaccinated.
All those who have not been fully vaccinated should wear a mask over their nose and mouth whenever they are in the building in accordance with both CDC Guidance (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html) and with Section II of Executive Order 72 (https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-72-SEVENTH-AMENDED-and-Order-of-Public-Health-Emergency-Nine-Easing-of-Commonsense-Surge-Restrictions-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf). This is in alignment with the current Executive Order.
We realize that this change feels sudden, but we have always relied upon guidance from both the CDC and the Governor to determine our COVID policies and procedures and that is what we are continuing to do. We have sought to navigate this season with wisdom and with sensitivity to the various opinions represented in our church body.
Thank you for working so hard on your end to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3). We cannot tell you how thankful we are for the wisdom, maturity, charity, and grace that has been demonstrated among this church family. Thank you for loving each other so well and for not allowing differences in opinions on vaccines or masks to rupture the unity we have in the Gospel.
People’s comfort levels are going to vary. It is likely that there will be a mixture of people wearing masks and not wearing masks at worship services for a while. Please strive to respect the decisions of others and to not make assumptions regarding the circumstances or motives of other people.
In summary, if you have been fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is optional. If you have not been fully vaccinated, please wear a mask while you are inside the building. Thank you in advance for working with us as we do our best to continue ministry in a way that honors God, our neighbors, and the governing authorities.
We are looking forward to worshiping with you in person and if you cannot join us in person, we hope you will stay connected by viewing the livestream. We are eagerly looking forward to the day when all of us will be able to worship together in person and unmasked!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Sincerely and on behalf of the PCC Board of Elders,
Garrett Spitz
Lead Pastor
PCC COVID-19 Update (11/17/20)
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If you're wondering how the recent announcement from our governor will impact PCC's services and events, this video has all the information you need. Watch to find out more!
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PCC COVID-19 Update (6/1/20)
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On Sunday, June 7 we are excited to announce that we will resume meeting for in-person gathered worship services! We also want you to know that things will look a little different. We will take a gradual approach to reopening. In Stage 1 of PCC's reopening, we will hold two 60-minute worship services on Sunday mornings. One will be at 9:00AM and the other at 11:00AM. There will be no nursery, KidzMin, Student Ministry programs or other small groups meeting in the building and face masks will be required. We are taking many other safety measures as well and we want you to have all the information you need to be prepared so please watch this video for a full explanation of the details.
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PCC Coronavirus Update (5/14/20)
PCC Coronavirus Update (5/7/20)
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Links & Resources Mentioned in the Video |
PCC Coronavirus Update (4/29/20)
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Links & Resources Mentioned in the Video |
PCC Coronavirus Update (4/16/20)
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Links & Resources Mentioned in the Video |
PCC Coronavirus Update (4/8/20)
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Links & Resources Mentioned in the Video |
PCC Coronavirus Update (3/24/20)
In light of the executive order from Governor Northam yesterday, all Peninsula Community Chapel gathered worship services and events will be cancelled through Thursday, April 23. We will continue to provide Online Worship Service Guides each week and we are working on creative ways to provide continued practical care and spiritual nourishment to the church family during this unique season. For example, we are planning special ways to still recognize Good Friday and celebrate Easter Sunday.
Please continue to check in on one another and join us in praying each day for the items on our weekly prayer schedule: pccyorktown.com/sunday-online. Do not hesitate to let us know how you are doing and if you need help by contacting the PCC Office (office@pencomchap.com).
Please continue to check in on one another and join us in praying each day for the items on our weekly prayer schedule: pccyorktown.com/sunday-online. Do not hesitate to let us know how you are doing and if you need help by contacting the PCC Office (office@pencomchap.com).
PCC Coronavirus Update (3/18/20)
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Video Update from Garrett Spitz, Associate Pastor
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Links & Resources Mentioned in the Video
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PCC Coronavirus Update (3/13/20)
(updated 3/13/20 at 12:15PM)
Church family,
As a preventative measure in order to help protect against the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our church body and broader community, we are cancelling our gathered worship services for this Sunday, March 15. We are also canceling all PCC events through Saturday, March 28. We have made these decisions in consultation with medical professionals from our church body. We will closely monitor the situation and adjust our plans if necessary.
As we continue to evaluate the situation, we encourage you to heed the advice of the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, and the US State Departments’ travel watches, alerts, and warnings, and to take common-sense precautions in daily life.
As information continues to evolve, this webpage is the primary place for you to receive answers to commonly asked questions for our church family.
In addition to caring for your souls, we also want to care for your bodies, and we have a responsibility to love our neighbors well. We would rather be overly cautious than err the other way. We will therefore do everything we can to ensure that our actions as a church help to promote spiritual and physical health for our church family and broader community.
SINCE WE ARE NOT MEETING FOR WORSHIP, WHAT CAN I DO TO WORSHIP AT HOME?
Since we will not be gathering for worship, we encourage you to go online to listen to the songs on the Worship Resources page, listen to a recent sermon and continue to give as you are able.
If you have children, we would encourage you to spend time with them in God’s Word. Use a family devotional, children’s Bible or online resources like www.bibleproject.com. PCC Kidzmin and Student Ministry Gospel Project lessons will be made available online as well.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN I TAKE?
We encourage everyone to take certain steps to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, flu, and other illnesses, including:
WHAT ABOUT PCC SHORT-TERM GLOBAL MINISTRY TRIPS?
The PCC Global Ministry Team has been working with team leaders and will continue to assess the situation based on various sources of information including our global ministry partners in other countries, the State Department, and organizations like the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
As of right now both our Student Ministry East Asia trip and our Central Asia trip have been postponed. The medical trip to Kenya, the New York City trip, and the other East Asia trip are all still currently planned to proceed as scheduled.
We are maintaining communication with global ministry partners in areas that have already been affected to encourage them and provide support. Please join us in lifting them up in prayer.
HOW CAN WE SERVE ONE ANOTHER & OUR COMMUNITY DURING THIS TIME?
One of the best ways for us to love one another is to check in on each other. Consider reaching out to those who are high-risk in our church family to see if you can pick up groceries for them or serve them in some other practical way that will help to decrease their risk of exposure.
One of the best ways to help us love our community during the spread of illness is simply to be a good neighbor. If you live beside or are in close contact with families who have high-risk individuals in their homes, reach out to see if they need anything. Simply look for ways that you can be salt and light in the coming weeks and commit to praying for our community and leaders.
Another great way to help your neighbors is practicing common-sense health routines yourself. Wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer after you touch shared surfaces, and stay home if you’re sick.
HOW CAN I BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It is part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold. The coronavirus outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread to other countries.
The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention. Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Like many other viruses, the coronavirus (COVID-19) seems to spread from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze, or kiss. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the risk in the U.S. is still low. They will update this status regularly on their website at cdc.gov/coronavirus. You can also find more information from the World Health Organization.
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND SPIRITUALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is another reminder that we live in a fallen world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death.
Ultimately, none of us are immune to any of these things. But that’s why the gospel is such good news. God has not left us alone in this world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. He has come to us in the person of Jesus. The greatest news in all the world is that Jesus lived a life with no sin, died on a cross to pay the price for our sin, and rose from the grave in victory over sin and death. Now anyone anywhere who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of all their sin and restored to relationship with God forever. That means that through Jesus, we never have to fear sickness or death because we know we have eternal life with God.
In addition to trusting Jesus and sharing about Jesus with others, here are some other ways you can respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19):
Finally, remember that we serve a sovereign God who instructs us not to live in a spirit of fear. God is good, He’s faithful, and we know that He’s still at work all around us.
Let’s continue to be the Church and walk with God together in the days ahead. We will keep you updated should our schedules and plans change in the coming weeks.
As a preventative measure in order to help protect against the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our church body and broader community, we are cancelling our gathered worship services for this Sunday, March 15. We are also canceling all PCC events through Saturday, March 28. We have made these decisions in consultation with medical professionals from our church body. We will closely monitor the situation and adjust our plans if necessary.
As we continue to evaluate the situation, we encourage you to heed the advice of the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, and the US State Departments’ travel watches, alerts, and warnings, and to take common-sense precautions in daily life.
As information continues to evolve, this webpage is the primary place for you to receive answers to commonly asked questions for our church family.
In addition to caring for your souls, we also want to care for your bodies, and we have a responsibility to love our neighbors well. We would rather be overly cautious than err the other way. We will therefore do everything we can to ensure that our actions as a church help to promote spiritual and physical health for our church family and broader community.
SINCE WE ARE NOT MEETING FOR WORSHIP, WHAT CAN I DO TO WORSHIP AT HOME?
Since we will not be gathering for worship, we encourage you to go online to listen to the songs on the Worship Resources page, listen to a recent sermon and continue to give as you are able.
If you have children, we would encourage you to spend time with them in God’s Word. Use a family devotional, children’s Bible or online resources like www.bibleproject.com. PCC Kidzmin and Student Ministry Gospel Project lessons will be made available online as well.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN I TAKE?
We encourage everyone to take certain steps to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, flu, and other illnesses, including:
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Using hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
- Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Staying home if you are sick
- Covering your cough or sneeze
- Disinfecting objects and surfaces regularly
- Greeting one another with friendly waves or elbow bumps instead of hugs or handshakes
- Avoiding large social gatherings
WHAT ABOUT PCC SHORT-TERM GLOBAL MINISTRY TRIPS?
The PCC Global Ministry Team has been working with team leaders and will continue to assess the situation based on various sources of information including our global ministry partners in other countries, the State Department, and organizations like the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
As of right now both our Student Ministry East Asia trip and our Central Asia trip have been postponed. The medical trip to Kenya, the New York City trip, and the other East Asia trip are all still currently planned to proceed as scheduled.
We are maintaining communication with global ministry partners in areas that have already been affected to encourage them and provide support. Please join us in lifting them up in prayer.
HOW CAN WE SERVE ONE ANOTHER & OUR COMMUNITY DURING THIS TIME?
One of the best ways for us to love one another is to check in on each other. Consider reaching out to those who are high-risk in our church family to see if you can pick up groceries for them or serve them in some other practical way that will help to decrease their risk of exposure.
One of the best ways to help us love our community during the spread of illness is simply to be a good neighbor. If you live beside or are in close contact with families who have high-risk individuals in their homes, reach out to see if they need anything. Simply look for ways that you can be salt and light in the coming weeks and commit to praying for our community and leaders.
Another great way to help your neighbors is practicing common-sense health routines yourself. Wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer after you touch shared surfaces, and stay home if you’re sick.
HOW CAN I BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It is part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold. The coronavirus outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread to other countries.
The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention. Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Like many other viruses, the coronavirus (COVID-19) seems to spread from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze, or kiss. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the risk in the U.S. is still low. They will update this status regularly on their website at cdc.gov/coronavirus. You can also find more information from the World Health Organization.
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND SPIRITUALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is another reminder that we live in a fallen world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death.
Ultimately, none of us are immune to any of these things. But that’s why the gospel is such good news. God has not left us alone in this world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. He has come to us in the person of Jesus. The greatest news in all the world is that Jesus lived a life with no sin, died on a cross to pay the price for our sin, and rose from the grave in victory over sin and death. Now anyone anywhere who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of all their sin and restored to relationship with God forever. That means that through Jesus, we never have to fear sickness or death because we know we have eternal life with God.
In addition to trusting Jesus and sharing about Jesus with others, here are some other ways you can respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Trust in God. He is good and sovereign. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life upon whom we all depend.
- Pray for mercy for the sick, strength for doctors, insight for researchers, and wisdom for officials.
- Look for opportunities to love and care for others, whether they are sick, isolated, marginalized, poor, or oppressed.
- Continue to faithfully give online or by mail so that the ministry of the church thrives all the more in the midst of difficult days.
- Reflect often on the brevity of life, the urgency of eternity, and the beauty of the gospel.
Finally, remember that we serve a sovereign God who instructs us not to live in a spirit of fear. God is good, He’s faithful, and we know that He’s still at work all around us.
Let’s continue to be the Church and walk with God together in the days ahead. We will keep you updated should our schedules and plans change in the coming weeks.
