covid-19 update (05.19.21)
A letter from Pastor Allison
Dear Members & Friends of Second Pres,
I am so grateful that while our building was closed from March until June 2020, the ministry and mission of Second Presbyterian Church never stopped! And I am also glad that the strict mitigation protocols we put in place from June 2020 - June 2021 help to keep us worshiping together safely in the building. I am also glad for the congregation's financial support for the Sunday worship radio broadcasts and for the volunteers who have made our worship service available by live stream.
At their meeting on Tues, May 18, 2021 and in accordance with the new guidelines handed down by the Ohio Governor’s office, the Second Pres Session voted that as of Sunday, June 6, 2021, during worship masks will be optional for those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, the social-distancing signs on the pews will be removed, and the pew cushions will be returned.
Masks will be required for those who are not vaccinated and are encouraged for those with underlying health conditions making them particularly vulnerable to infection. Modifications of these COVID-19 protocols will also carry over into business hours during the week starting Weds, June 2.
We will continue to provide Worship on Sundays at 9:30a.m. for friends and members of Second Pres in mulitple ways:
- In-person at 9:30 a.m.
- Live radio broadcast simultaneously on WIOI (106.7FM 1010AM)
- Livestream on the church's Facebook page
- A recording of the livestream is uploaded to our YouTube channel for our subscribers as often as possible
In addition, bulletins can be mailed or emailed to any who would like to have a copy in their hands. (We normally drop them off at the post office by noon on Thursday.)
As always, if you are not comfortable worshiping in person, that is fine with me; I want you to make the best decision for your situation. Since what is known about COVID-19 is ever-changing, our goal is to monitor new information and alter our safety practices as needed.
Be of good courage & know that you are loved,
Pastor Allison
#sayyourprayers #washyourhands #wearamask
second sunday in-person hymn sing
Join us for a live and in-person Second Sunday hymn sing!
We've missed gathering together. And singing hymns together. So here's our chance to do both -- a time to gather and sing and enjoy each other's company.*
Every second Sunday this summer, we're hosting a live and in-person hymn sing at 6:00p.m. led by Dr. Stan Workman (Dir. of Music, Second Pres) and Justin Wiget (Dir. of Music, All Saints' Episcopal Church).
And we need YOUR requests! Feel free to post those here in the event or pass them along to us at the church (740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com).
We'll see you here: Second Pres Church 801 Waller St Portsmouth, OH 45662
* Our current COVID-19 protocols say that if you are vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask in the building; if you are not vaccinated, a mask is required; and if your health makes you susceptible to infection, you are encouraged to wear a mask. And, of course, you are welcome to wear a mask if that is what will make you most comfortable!
employment opportunity
We're looking for a custodian to join our team
Second Pres is looking for a custodian! The application period is open and interviews will begin soon.
Check out the job description here. And download an application here.
Please return application in person to Second Presbyterian Church (801 Waller St Portsmouth, OH 45662) during business hours (Monday-Friday 9:00a.m. - 1:30p.m.).
Second Pres Critter encounter
a favorite second pres tradition
Independence Day Worship Service + Lunch (Sun, July 4, 2021)
WORSHIP + CHOIR + COMMUNION + LUNCH
Plans are officially underway for an outdoor service + choir + communion + catered lunch on Sun, July 4! It's one of our favorite traditions, and since it's been a long, hard year, we've decided to make it easier on ourselves, we plan to rent tables, chairs, and a tent that other people will set up and takedown!
Someone Pastor Allison is consulting with about these plans was so grateful to not have to lug tables and chairs up and down the stairs that they wrote a check to help defray the cost of the rentals! If you are similarly inclined, we welcome your donations too!
Following an outdoor service with choir and the sacrament of communion, we’ll gather for a lunch prepared by Big Daddy’s Kitchen: fried chicken, corn casserole, and green beans! (We also plan to supplement the meal with some other homemade dishes.) We’re asking for a $5 donation to help defray the cost of the meal.
And following our recent bake-off dessert tradition, dessert for the day will be entries for our CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BAKE-OFF! Of course, if you want to provide some cookies but don’t want to enter the contest, that’s no problem. And yes, milk will be provided!
Our friends from First Pres will be there, and we hope to gather some of our singing friends from the community will join us as well – it seems like the perfect recipe for a joyful celebration!