With the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated health risks, Trinity Church is taking the following steps:

1. Hand sanitizer will be placed throughout the building.

2. There will be an additional cleaning of surfaces before church begins.

3. A transition to zero contact communion.

4. Instead of handshakes try fist bumps, actually elbow bumps would be much better, or go all out with the ultimate option: namaste!

5. Tentative plans for online Services and Small Groups if it becomes severe (keep an eye out for updates).

Please check the cdc.gov site if you are currently unaware of the impact and nature of the virus. The changes we are making are designed to protect the most vulnerable—those with existing heart and lung disease, those over 60, and those with general poor health and weak immunity (no matter their age). Those in nursing homes are also at increased risk. By slowing its spread, we can save lives and potentially buy more time for developing a vaccine.

What you can do:

• Pray.
• Encourage those who are fearful, at risk from the virus, and also at risk from prolonged isolation.
• Read this article by John Piper about how to understand what’s happening biblically. 
• Be sensible. Practice your common sense.
• Self-quarantine if you suspect infection or test positive. Do not risk spreading it around since it could result in another person's death. 
• Parents, please keep sick kids at home with you.
• Avoid exposing anyone who has lung or heart disease, weak immunity, and those over 60.
• Limit or avoid crowds and groups if you are at-risk due to underlying health issues (no matter your age) or over 60. 
• A disposable face mask might limit an already infected person from spreading corona, but only a completely sealed N95 mask has some chance of protecting people from being infected. The general public have been advised not to buy these since there is a shortage and medical providers need them.
• Wash your hands with soap after coming inside, after using the bathroom (as you should anyways), and before eating. Sing “happy birthday” twice and thoroughly scrub.
• Don’t use your hand to open doors, use a sleeve; for restrooms use a paper towel.
• Instead of handshakes try fist bumps, actually elbow bumps would be much better, or go all out with the ultimate option: namaste!
• Use your knuckle on elevator buttons.
• Wear gloves on public transit.
• Sneeze and cough into the fold of your arm, facing away from people.
• Avoid touching your face, mouth, and nostrils.
• Receive courage from God’s word. 

...not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ~ Philippians 4:6

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:37-39

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:3-5