In-Person Sanctuary Worship Resumes 9/20/2020

Dear friends,

Over the summer we pushed back our return to in-person worship for all of our safety, and we are now at a point where the Worship Relaunch Task Force and church leaders feel comfortable with a return to in-person worship.

Starting September 20 at 10:30am, we will host weekly in-person worship in the Sanctuary. This will be one service, and social distancing will be observed. This will look and feel different from how we “used” to worship together. A few changes you will notice:

• We request that all persons over age two wear masks – this is to keep our most vulnerable members safe. We will have disposable masks available if you do not have your own.

• Hand sanitizing stations located upon entry and throughout the church for frequent use.

• Households will be seated six feet apart, and we ask that you listen to the directions of volunteers as they help us to maintain social distancing.

• We will have music, but we will not worship by singing together. COVID-19 droplets have been proven to spread through singing more than through other means.

• Reservations are requested – sign up online: http://bit.ly/reserveshumc or call the church office to let us know if you plan to worship with us in person. Childcare will be offered for children in Kindergarten and younger to those who reserve a spot, and capacity will be limited.

Please, if you are someone in the population most vulnerable to COVID-19 – over 65, or with a preexisting condition – we encourage you to stay home to stay safe. We will continue to offer live online worship on our Facebook page. We will also continue to offer live call-in worship at (844)855-4444, access code 134223.

We are committed to keeping our community safe, and we ask for your continued prayers for our church as we navigate what it looks like to do ministry in the time of COVID-19.

We continue to support racial justice in our community. If you want to be part of a group working for racial reconciliation, call or email us at office@semheights.com. Issues of safety and justice are intertwined, and we must address both in order to follow the command to, “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 6:8). I look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,

Pastor Tiffania

New Staff Spotlight: Shiree Fetterly

New Staff Spotlight: Shiree Fetterly

Family and Community Ministries Assistant

Global Mission Fellow

Shiree comes to Seminole Heights UMC as a Global Mission Fellow of the United Methodist Church. She is originally from Port Huron, Michigan, and she graduated with her AA degree from St. Clair Community College in 2019. Shiree has worked with children and youth of all ages, and highlights for her include working as a summer Day Camp Counselor in her community since 2016 and working as a middle school Camp Counselor last summer.

Shiree says of herself, “I am hoping this experience helps me grow and find my true calling. Whether that be in the missionary field or something else. I am a lover of animals. I enjoy bike rides and roller blading. I look forward to meeting you all!”

Welcome, Shiree, to Tampa, and we look forward to “meeting” you soon!

Updated 7/30/2020: August 2 Worship Update

Updated 7/30/20

We planned to host Drive in Worship on Sunday, August 2, but due to Tropical Storm Isaias, we will postpone Drive in Worship until Sunday, August 9.

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With COVID-19 cases at an all-time high in our community, we are still holding off on worshiping in person in the Sanctuary. However, we will gather this Sunday, August 2, for Drive In Worship at 10:30am. This will be a special worship service with Confirmation of some of our youth, receiving new members, and Communion for all. 

For the rest of August, we will host Living Room online at 10:30am. You can watch live on Facebook , at semheights.freeonlinechurch.com, or call in from any phone. Contact us if you need call in information.