coronavirus update

UPDATE: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

We want to thank everyone for the patience you have extended during this time. As the situation in our community and country continues to change and evolve, we are working diligently to identify how Hyland Heights can continue to make disciples with both wisdom and discernment.

In light of the many people who meet at different times in our building all throughout the week, we believe the wisest way to love them all is to limit their exposure to this virus in the following ways:

As of Monday, March 16th, all activities on our church campus will be suspended.
As of Sunday, March 22nd our Sunday Worship Gatherings will be moved online at 10 am until further notice. You can view our live stream each Sunday HERE.
In addition, we will be closing all Hyland Heights buildings until further notice. The exception will be staff and individuals whose work necessitates being on campus during this time.
We are recommending that you follow the CDC's limitations to group gatherings throughout this time. We encourage you to find alternate ways to stay in biblical community with one another and to take advantage of those that we provide.

This does not mean that we are ceasing the activities of the church; rather, we see this as an opportunity for us to make disciples in a new and fresh way. Continue reading below for more information about how we can work together to fulfill our mission in the days ahead.

CHECK FOR POSTED UPDATES BELOW:

WHY ARE WE MOVING OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP GATHERINGS ONLINE AND CLOSING OUR BUILDINGS?

Our goal in these decisions, as in everything we do, is to glorify God as biblically and wisely as possible.

Because the Bible calls us to care for one another and love one another as ourselves, we believe the best way we can do that in light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is by not gathering in person. If we were to come together for a normal Sunday, the likelihood is extremely high that unknowing carriers of this distinct and different virus would expose many others to it. Those exposed would then scatter from our building into and beyond our community, increasing the likelihood of people not only at our buildings but in and beyond our community being exposed to this virus. All of this would be harmful to church members and guests as well as people far beyond our church, many of whom are more at-risk physically due to either age or medical conditions. For these reasons, we believe the best way we can love our neighbors as ourselves in this unique time is to participate in publicly endorsed strategies of containment, including social distancing (defined by the CDC as “remaining out of congregate settings and avoiding mass gatherings”).

Further, in light of the various groups of people who meet at different times in our buildings all throughout the week, we believe the wisest way to love them all is to limit their exposure to this virus by closing our buildings until further notice.

This does not mean, however, that we are ceasing the activities of the church. Quite the opposite is true. This is a time for us to be the church like never before!

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:

Right Now Media (request access HERE)
Recommendations and Resources for Groups

HOW WILL WE CONTINUE TO MINISTER TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY DURING THIS TIME?

We want to encourage you to stay engaged with one another and our church family.

In addition, we are actively encouraging group leaders to consider alternative ways of keeping our church connected—in the coming days, our kids and student ministries will be actively creating opportunities for ministry and engagement digitally, as well as providing great resources both from our team and elsewhere that will help you to create many of the same (and new!) experiences in your home and with your peers that we have always enjoyed on campus.

We are also working to create new opportunities to serve our community throughout this time—both through our current outreach ministries, as well as new opportunities. As we organize and coordinate our efforts this page will be updated with news about these initiatives and changes.

Stay tuned to our Facebook Page HERE, as well as our website so that you can be up to date with these resources and opportunities!

WHAT ADDITIONAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ARE WE TAKING?

We want you to know that we, like you, are thinking about our cleaning practices because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). HHBC always strives to protect our members and guests through high standards of cleanliness. Because of the circumstances, we are striving to increase even our usual high standards.

To protect everyone who attends events on our campus, our custodial staff routinely cleans all railings, door handles, sink and toilet handles, and other common surfaces with disinfectant cleaners. Additionally, our Child Development Center and Children's Ministry workers clean tables and toys after classes and spray the rooms with disinfectant.

To provide further protection, we have placed disinfectant cleaners and paper towels in every classroom for teachers to use to clean their rooms after each use.

We will continue these regular practices when it is time to resume regular services and activities, and are taking additional precautions throughout the time our building is closed to ensure that everything is clean and safe for you.

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND PHYSICALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS?

For most healthy people the Coronavirus may be as mild as the common cold. However, it can be very serious, even deadly, for those who are immune-compromised or elderly.

We can best protect ourselves and others from the spread of the Corona Virus, or any Virus by using common sense. Wash your hands, cover your cough and sneeze, and stay at home if you are sick, also avoid or limit your contact with those who are sick.

Wash your hands! This cannot be stressed enough! Wash your hands, using soap and water, suds up and wash for 20 seconds - sing happy birthday to yourself in your mind to get that 20-second hand wash. Pay particular attention to washing between the fingers and thumbs. Remember to wash your hands before and after eating, after touching your face or blowing your nose, and after using the restroom.

It is best to avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth; these are the ports of entry to the body.

Hand sanitizer is also a good way to clean hands, however, if hands are visibly dirty wash with soap and water. Hand sanitizers should be at least 60% alcohol-based to kill the germs.

Wipe down frequently touched surfaces with antibacterial wipes - wipe down countertops, door handles, light switches, and don’t forget to wipe down your cell phone.

If you are sick, please stay at home and self-quarantine following the VA Dept. of Health or CDC websites for the latest updates and expectations. And please email or call the church office HERE so that we can pray for you!

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND SPIRITUALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken many of us by surprise. From the beginning of the virus in Wuhan, China, to now several cases in Virginia, there is a sense of fear and uncertainty in the lives of many people. This virus is a very real reminder that sickness, suffering, sin, and death are a part of this world, a fallen world. However, the gospel is a beautiful reminder that this world is not permanent. Jesus Christ came into the world to save the world. On the cross, he took our sin and paid the price, death. But three days later rose in victory over sin and death. And all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and repent of their sins are forgiven and will be united with Christ for eternity. While this world is in chaos, we have a Savior who is Lord over the chaos. The believer in Christ has no reason to fear sickness or death because they know death is not the end. We know that Jesus is both Savior and Lord and will return and make all things new.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then we would love to talk to you about how you begin that relationship. If you do know Jesus as both Lord and Savior, then we urge you to share that faith with others.

In addition to trusting in Jesus and sharing Jesus with others, here are some other ways that you can respond during the coronavirus (COVID-19):

God can and will use this time to grow you spiritually into the image of His Son. Philippians 1:6, “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Trust in God as the good and sovereign Creator and Sustainer of life upon whom we all depend. Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and by him, all things hold together.”
Pray. Pray. Pray. For grace, discernment, strength, and healing for all those sick with the virus and the medical personnel caring for them. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Look for opportunities to love and care for others, whether they are sick, isolated, marginalized, poor, or oppressed.
Even if we are unable to gather at certain times, stay closely connected to the church family. Gather with smaller groups as appropriate and participate in worship gatherings online if that’s the only option.
Continue to faithfully give financial offerings online HERE or by mail so that the ministry of the church thrives all the more amid difficult days.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FINANCIAL STATE OF HHBC?

Your church staff and the Finance Committee have aggressively managed their costs to maximize the impact of our ministries while establishing a strong financial foundation for the future.

The next few weeks will be uncharted territory for us financially. Typically, when we do not have services on campus, we see a 30-40% reduction in giving for that Sunday and in many cases, we see much of the loss made up over the next few weeks.

We have already implemented plans to reduce the operating cost of our facilities and each ministry is developing plans to manage their expenses while our facilities are not in use. We will continue to identify opportunities to reduce our costs in the weeks ahead.

We encourage each of you to continue to give your regular tithes and offerings so that we can continue to build on the foundation we have established already this year. This is a great time to sign up for online giving or to schedule your gifts to be given weekly, every other week, or monthly.

There are many ways to give in the weeks ahead:

You can give online HERE.
You can give through the HHBC app, which can be downloaded HERE.
You can text hylandheightsgive to 779-77
You can mail your gift as a check to 11452 Wards Rd. Rustburg, VA or drop it by the church office at your convenience.
You can set up an automatic draft from your checking account. The church does not incur any credit costs when you give this way.

If you have any questions or need help setting up your preferred giving method, please email Alisa Keesee HERE or call (434) 401-8866.

HOW CAN YOU PARTNER WITH US DURING THIS TIME?

There are many ways that you can continue to live on mission during this time. With our services moving to a live streaming platform, and in an effort to continue a sense of gathering together, we would recommend that you view and participate in our 10 am service on Sunday. If you need any technical assistance in doing so, you can reach out to our Technical Director, Josh Moon HERE to discuss your options. This is an excellent way to feel connected to other church members, while still following the guidelines of the CDC. Meeting simultaneously at 10 am on Sunday via our live stream can offer a sense of unity for everyone who participates.

Outside of the walls of our own homes, we can also serve those around us that are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. If you have any elderly neighbors or neighbors with small children, then you can offer to pick up groceries for them to help them avoid going out into larger crowds of people. Additionally, you can cook a meal for them and deliver it to their home. You can also offer to take off any trash that they might accumulate during this time of social distancing. Most importantly, pray for your neighbors and for the church. This is a difficult time for everyone around us, and we need to be sensitive to the Spirit as we love our neighbors and attempt to serve them. Prayer is the most powerful tool in our kit, so be sure to employ it abundantly.