Dear church family,

Bishop Bruce Ough of the Minnesota Annual Conference has directed all Minnesota UMCs to stop in-person worship immediately and return to virtual worship only. This is a result of the Bishop’s concerns over the rapid spread of Covid-19 in Minnesota. The Bishop has turned the dial on the Annual Conference re-gather plan back to red. 

Therefore, in-person worship for Sanborn and Springfield United Methodists churches is suspended IMMEDIATELY. There will be no in-person worship beginning this Sunday, November 22.

Additionally, at the Bishop’s direction, small group sessions and meetings will be suspended as well. Confirmation and other activities will continue virtually. The duration of this decision by the Bishop is for the “foreseeable future”.

I know this is a disappointment for you as it is for me. However, I remind you we were planning a temporary suspension of in-person worship beginning December 29, so we will be moving that up one week. 

We have an ambitious Advent and Christmas worship plan scheduled and it adapts very well to virtual worship. There will be many opportunities for you to participate in worship and ministry. The church has and always will be, a church of people and not buildings.

I urge you to continue to be engaged in worship and ministry by attending the virtual church service for both churches each Sunday at 9:30. Minister to each other through phone calls and acts of kindness. Participate in ministry projects and please continue to be faithful in your financial support of the church.

One of the greatest ways that you can help the church and each other at this time is to pray. Please keep the church, each other and myself in your prayers. We certainly have enough to pray about in 2020!

Remember in this season of Thanksgiving that we have so much to be thankful for to God. Focus on those blessings and not the disappointments in life.

God bless you all, Pastor Rick