Love is … Sacrifice

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended everyone mask up again, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. As you know from watching the news, the Delta variant is spreading quickly through the country, leading to increased hospitalizations and deaths. There are more breakthrough cases, with vaccinated individuals getting sick. And alarmingly for parents who have worked hard to keep our children well, the number of children getting sick and hospitalized is growing.

The Genesis Team met this week and is returning the requirement to wear masks while in worship and indoors at St. Mark’s. We feel the rise in numbers, the change in CDC recommendations, and the return to school for thousands of kids across our city warrant this change. We are not adding any of the additional precautions at this time.

This feels like going backwards; even while we know this is the right choice. Yet we know the Delta variant has changed the landscape of the fight against this illness. And we believe we are called to love one another. Sometimes to act in love for others is to be sacrificial. At this time, the small sacrifice of masking up while together in large groups such as worship can be an act of love as we do what we can to be healthy and keep others healthy. As always, we continue to offer pre-recorded worship if you are more comfortable participating that way.

Thanks for understanding. It’s not a move that will last forever. But this sacrificial act of love is a statement that we care about all who come to St. Mark’s.

See you soon.
Pastor Lynn

Three ways to access our pre-recorded service:

• From the main menu on our website click “Worship.”
• Go to YouTube and search for UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley or use this link.
• The YouTube link will also be shared on Facebook St. Mark’s UMC Tucson or use this link.

The service will go live at 9:45 a.m.