Dear South Carolina Synod Friends,
Unprecedented times require unprecedented amounts of patience and grace! This period of physical isolation has not only changed our schedules, plans and ways of living, but has brought with it the need to adapt at a rapid pace with the daily updates of the situation. I give thanks for everyone’s flexibility and patience with us as we seek to make faithful decisions about Synod Assembly. And I am most thankful that what hasn’t changed in any of this current situation is the steadfast love and presence of God for us and with us!
Your Synod Council and Office of the Bishop desire to do our part to help keep everyone as safe as possible while we also follow our constitution’s mandates related to assembly. We have been paying close attention to the updates and recommendations from the CDC and from our Governor’s office and I have been in regular contact with the groups and vendors with whom we work on assembly. The current recommendation from the CDC includes maintaining physical distancing for a period of 8 weeks (which is in effect through May 10), and the recommendation from our Governor is through April 30.
As you know, our 2020 SC Synod Assembly is scheduled for May 14-16 which falls just outside these recommendations. For that reason, I am requesting that we hold off on any additional registrations at this time and give us just a little more time to make final decisions regarding this year’s assembly plan. We are exploring every option possible to us, including having a one-day assembly later this summer.
Should the current plans for the May assembly be changed we will refund any registrations that have already been collected and everyone will be asked to register for the new date. I look forward to having more information to you by April 20. Thank you for your understanding of the complexities that go into these decisions and for your patience while I work out the details.
In the meantime, stay safe and be well. Thank you for all the faithful ways you are working to connect with one another and to proclaim the hope of our Lord to all the world.
Pastor Ginny Aebischer
Assistant to the Bishop/Assembly Manager
