Congregational Letter

An Update from Session

Dear members of Shadyside Presbyterian Church (SPC):

As our pastors shared recently, we are very grateful to all of you for your faith, patience, and fortitude. COVID-19 is challenging us, but this is not the first time Christ’s Church has been challenged. The Church has been forced home before, and we are certain to rise.

As much as we know that everyone misses seeing one another in person, we are not there yet. But, we have a plan, and we are excited to share parts of that plan with you now.

On September 14, the church building was re-opened to our pastors and staff, and, as of September 28, is available by appointment to members and visitors, on a limited basis. We emphasize the importance of appointments, because visitors will be required to comply with our in-person guidelines, which you may read on the church website: www.shadysidepres.org/covid-19.

Also as of September 28, the church plans to permit in-person pastoral gatherings, including weddings, funerals, and memorial services, to occur on the premises. Attendance at these events will be constrained by the current Allegheny County restrictions (limiting indoor gatherings to a maximum of twenty-five people as of September 24), but we know how important these events are in the life of our church family. Please understand these plans could change as the County and Commonwealth guidelines change.

Finally, the Session has approved a plan that returns in-person worship to our sanctuary. To be clear, we never stopped worshipping. This is a plan to bring us back together physically — an important and very emotional step forward. We will begin in-person worship within a few weeks after Allegheny County increases the permitted indoor gathering limit to 100 people or more.

The SPC COVID-19 Task Force includes the Reverend Dr. John Dalles; the Reverend Lynn Portz; Trustee Alex Dick; and Elders Don Coffelt, Brigetta Del Re, Rob Ferguson, Carla Gedman, Jim Gockley, Bob Luthultz, and Alex Viehman. The entire church staff has contributed tremendously to the effective work of the task force; their insights, energies, and dedication are deeply appreciated. Together, they and the task force are working hard and carefully to bring us together safely and soon.

With grace and peace,

Elder Timothy E. Nye
Clerk of Session

The Reverend Dr. John A. Dalles
Interim Senior Pastor and Head of Staff