A word from Pastor Tim regarding the Coronavirus

Fruit Cove family, we are aware of and up to date with the precautions and measures we should take to be a clean, healthy, and safe campus in light of the Coronavirus. We care deeply about our guests and our church family. We have an opportunity to show our neighbors and the world what it means to live our lives trusting God and not in fear. To our knowledge no member or attender of Fruit Cove has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, and our prayers are with the 14 Florida residents that have. Our plan is to gather every Sunday and Wednesday (per our schedule), unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Here are a couple of simple notes about the Coronavirus in regard to what we are doing and what we are asking of you:

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Stay home if you are sick. Watch Fruit Cove online at fruitcove.com or Facebook!
• If you have been exposed to anyone with the coronavirus, the flu, or any other contagious condition please stay home for 14 days (per the CDC).
• If you have recently traveled to China, Iran, Italy, or South Korea please stay home to watch your symptoms 14 days (per the CDC).

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

• We are instituting the “fist bump” as the official greeting on campus. No more “right hand of fellowship” handshakes until this situation clears. For reference and a lesson in proper technique see the Sunday morning message from March 8 at fruitcove.com/sermons.
• Our Facilities Team will continue to make sure our campus is clean and ready for use. This includes a plan for regular sanitization.
• Beginning this Sunday we will be sanitizing highly touched surfaces before and after every service such as doors, handles, tables, water fountains, check-in stations, and sinks. This includes a heavy focus on our preschool and kids ministry areas.
• Offering time will be moved to the very end of the worship service where congregants will be able to give their tithes and offerings as they exit.
• Our staff and volunteer teams will wash their hands frequently and will stay home if they are sick.
• We will be providing additional hand sanitizer stations around campus for everyone to use. These will be located in ministry area welcome centers and The Pavilion.

WHAT IS OUR SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY?

• We need to remember that followers of Jesus do not need to live in fear. He has power over all things, and we are eternally secure.
• Our calling is to love our neighbor, whether they are sick or healthy.
• Pray for God’s mercy and wisdom for US and global leaders as they deal with the crisis.

WHAT ABOUT MISSION TRIPS?

 In conversations with the International Mission Board and our church planting partners on the ground in London we have decided to postpone the HS Senior mission trip to London. This was a hard decision to make but we feel it is the right decision. You can read the full IMB statement here https://www.imb.org/2020/03/09/imb-recommends-volunteers-postpone-travel/.

At this time we are evaluating that status of planned trips to Jersey City, Miami and Puerto Rico over Spring Break. We will continue to maintain contact with our partners on the ground and unless our partners think it is not safe for us to come, the state of Florida recommends no travel, or the US State Department issues a travel warning we will proceed with all trips as planned. Participants of these trips do have the option of cancelling by contacting the Missions Office at 904-287-0996.