Update from the Task Force on Reopening Church Buildings

Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us

Come, O Spirit, dwell among us, Come with Pentecostal power;
Give the church a stronger vision, Help us face each crucial hour.
Built upon a firm foundation, Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone,
Still the church is called to mission. That God's love shall be made known.

Words by Jane Alford (1887-1986)

Dear Church Family,

The Task Force for Reopening our church buildings has been praying, meeting via zoom and emails and reading copious amounts of literature from the Presbytery and other sources. Our task is not an easy one. We would all love to see and hug each and every one of you. We would love to have a potluck dinner or sit and knit together. Yet cases of this virus are climbing in South Carolina daily. Health experts keep telling us that wearing a mask and social distancing is not about protecting ourselves, but loving and protecting our neighbors.

For now, our church buildings remain closed and our in-person gatherings are suspended. This was the Session’s unanimous vote. We continue to discern and will be in regular communication with you, our beloved congregation and community. This action has no time stamp on it, we will continue to monitor the safety concerns and seek wisdom, yet we are not planning at this point to reopen any buildings anytime soon.

However, this is not a time of just waiting. We are actively waiting as we are working towards reopening our buildings when it is time, knowing that church gatherings will be different. I, for one, dislike giving specifics at this time because it seems that information changes hourly. We, the task force, are thinking we will begin with small groups in the Fellowship Hall. There will be many protocols to follow beginning with the ability to distance and wear masks. Other changes will be that we will not have a choir or be able to sing at all. Yet, we will be together. Our isolation has shaken our sense of security and our feelings of being a part of our community of faith.

Please pray for our world, our community, and our church as we face this crucial hour. Let us remember Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 22: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Thank you all for your patience and know that all of our members are our heroes.

The Task Force on Reopening

Lou Wylie, Betty Bryan, Linda Bush, Brian Evans, Mary Evelyn Fontaine, and David Yandle

In response to God's love and grace, through Jesus Christ, we commit to learning, proclaiming and living the love of God.

WELCOME to the Presbyterian Church on Edisto  Island

Here you will find information concerning our church and its ministries. We hope you find your time spent here a blessing. Our church is a warm and loving church, and we want you to feel comfortable and at liberty to call on us for anything you need. Feel free to browse through the various areas of our website and learn about us.

If you are considering relocating to our area, we would love to have you be our guest for Sunday School and worship.

The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island is a PC(USA) congregation.