Table Rock and our COVID-19 Response Plan

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come….There will be earthquakes in various places, an famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” Mark 13:7–8

March 13, 2020

Dear Church Family
 
People have long been concerned about war, disaster, and disease long before our 24-hour news cycle and social media outlets. While the scare over the novel COVID-19 virus may feel like the end of the world, Jesus said that “such things must happen,” as we live in a sinful and fallen world that has yet to be redeemed fully in Jesus Christ. This earth is not yet the new creation.
 
As the church, we are called to be messengers of Christ in all the ways that we hope, keep faith, trust God, love our neighbors and enemies, and especially love the poor and the sick. As our latest series in Ephesians has reminded us, our God is a God of power, able to raise dead souls to new life (Ephesians 2:1–10). We refuse to cave to fear, remembering always how “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) and death has no sting (1 Corinthians 15:55).
 
As for COVID-19, the latest predictions are that this will be a global pandemic (meaning it will likely affect most of the world) similar in scale to the 1957 influenza outbreak or the milder 2009 H1N1 outbreak. While much remains unknown, fatality totals are much lower than for the season flu we have all lived with for many years (which so far has killed at least 18,000 people in the United States alone this season).
 
Regardless of how severe this novel (new) virus and disease will be, the elders of Table Rock Church feel it is prudent for us to have a plan for this current concern and to communicate that plan with you. You can find our detailed plan here which lists our risk-based responses as well as community changes that we would implement at each level.
 
As of this writing, utilizing outside sources and council, we assess that our community is at a heightened level of concern but not in direct risk of transmission or infection. As of today, Idaho has only one confirmed case of coronavirus and, though Governor Brad Little of Idaho has declared an emergency, he is not calling for closures of schools or public gatherings. He has stated closures may be needed, but timing is crucial—neither closing things down too early nor too late.
 
With this information we plan to implement increased health measures such as once-a-month communion with individually wrapped containers, increased cleanliness, hand sanitizer, and refusal of youth with any signs/symptoms of illness from our youth programs. We acknowledge that this situation is fluid and fast moving, so we may need to contact you soon with additional plans or to elevate our response.
 
We also want you to feel free if you are at higher risk (e.g. known respiratory diseases, underlying conditions, etc) to stay home, read Scripture, worship, pray, and rest in God’s power. We are confident that, if necessary, even a temporary closing of Table Rock services in a time of emergency is not disobeying Hebrews 10:24–25. Rather it is prudent care for our members and loving precaution for our community and neighbors.
 
In this season, we would encourage all Table Rock members and attenders to trust God and pray.
 
Trust God: Viral disease is a fact of biological existence and part of creation. Keeping perspective and not panicking apply here, just as they do for all risks we face as creatures in a finite world. No matter how dire, the Lord remains our refuge and strength, “an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1). To Trust the Lord amid trouble is to experience and bear witness to the power of Christ.
 
Pray: We must pray for the sick and the scared, for public health officials, for doctors and nurses, for researchers, and for caregivers. As Christians we believe prayer has power (Philippians 4:6­–7), so we seek help from the Lord.
 
Again, we will send you additional information as the situation evolves and as more information is available. Barring any changes, we are excited to see, worship, and fellowship with you all this Sunday at the Boise Train Depot!
 
In prayer and thankfulness in our powerful God,
The Table Rock Elders