As the situation around COVID-19 develops and changes, we will update this webpage as needed. To help you follow the conversation our church is having during this pandemic, please note that the most recent information will be posted at the top of the page. Through these uncertain times we are living in, North Fresno Church desires to be a place of refuge and encouragement, as well as a people who continue to love God, and love our neighbors.
February 23, 2021
After conducting a church-wide survey, and in observing Fresno County COVID-19 trends, our Leadership Board and COVID-19 Task Force have decided to hold our first in-person worship service on March 7, 2021. At this time, we are planning for a monthly, outdoor worship service on our church campus. Please consult this document to learn more of the expectations and logistics involved with moving forward in-person. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we try to navigate new protocols and guidelines. We will continue to offer a livestreamed service for those who choose to worship from home.
At this time, our small group Bible studies will also meet in-person for their mid-week groups on the NFC campus. If you have a question about a particular NFC group, where and how they are meeting, please ask Pastor Jamie. We will continue to update you with changes to our weekly worship service schedule.
November 18, 2020
Dustin Maddox (Lead Pastor), Sue Kliewer (Spiritual Ministries Committee and COVID Task Force), and Jason Brooks (NFC Moderator) provide an update about North Fresno Church’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 26, 2020
The global COVID-19 pandemic does not change our NFC core values that Jesus is the center of our faith, community is the center of our lives, and reconciliation is the center of our work. Even as we have closed our physical church building for a period of time, we know that the CHURCH never closed. Our mission to love God and love others hasn’t changed, even as we have shifted how we engage in ministry.
As Christ followers, shaped by the Anabaptist tradition and part of the Mennonite Brethren family, we seek first God’s Kingdom, which is an upside-down kingdom where the values of this world are turned on its head.
- We practice Christ’s compassion for the most vulnerable among us
- We value community, enjoying fellowship and maintaining unity, even when we disagree
- We care for our neighborhood and continue to actively love our neighbors
- We worship with our lives, defining worship more broadly than music or Sunday services
The safety of our congregation, and especially those most vulnerable, is of high importance to us. We are doing our best to navigate the constantly changing information on COVID-19 due to it being a new virus and more is being discovered about it daily. We want to do our part in mitigating the spread of the virus. We value the input of health institutions and governmental guidelines and yet we are discerning our way forward with our particular congregation in mind.
At the beginning of June, some restrictions were lifted and churches were given the green light to meet. Although we miss gathering together on Sunday mornings, NFC is choosing to proceed with caution and continue to foster multiple ways of connecting for fellowship, spiritual growth, and outreach that are not dependent on Sunday morning corporate gatherings. We will continue with online worship services for the time being. At the same time, we are increasing opportunities to gather for smaller, in-person times of fellowship and spiritual growth. Our hope is that we will be nurtured by these additional forms of church community, and see it as a place to invite neighbors and others who may be searching to know more of this God who loves each person deeply.
Please consult our COVID-19 Guidelines For Gathering to know what to expect at NFC gatherings during this season.
COVID-19 Guidelines For Gathering
May 4, 2020
Last Friday, Fresno’s shelter in place directive was extended to Sunday, May 31st at midnight. We encourage you to stay at home unless you need to go out for essential business. The city of Fresno requests everyone to wear face coverings when it is necessary to be in public spaces (such as grocery shopping, medical visits, etc.). To comply with this recent directive, North Fresno Church will keep our sanctuary closed for services throughout the month of May. While some local churches are moving towards “drive-thru” services in their parking lot, this is not something that NFC plans to do.
According to Friday’s news release, the re-opening of businesses and public gatherings will be done in phases. Under this plan, church gatherings are listed as part of Phase Three. Entering Phase Three will be determined by progress made in Phase One and Two. Therefore, we can’t give an exact date when we will begin to gather physically. NFC will follow local & statewide guidelines in deciding when to begin Sunday services again. Please keep checking our website, and our email newsletters for updates.
We continue to worship online together on Sunday mornings. We encourage participation in Life Groups and bible studies as they meet remotely. Please contact church staff if you would like to talk or pray with a pastor, have physical or financial needs, would like to join a Life Group or bible study, or any other need.
May we continue to BE the church even when we can’t meet in a church building, rising to the challenge of being Christ’s hands and feet in this world.
April 27, 2020
During these weeks of sheltering-in-place, MennoMedia has collected written reflections from individuals within our denomination on the current pandemic. These writings have been compiled under the title, A Time Such As This, and is a special publication of Rejoice! MennoMedia. We make it available here as a way for our church family to connect with other like-minded believers and their perspective on the crisis. If you choose to share any part of this publication, please give credit to the original source. We pray that these reflections will encourage you, and strengthen your faith.
March 25, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, North Fresno Church wants to care for our congregation and community in the best way we can. Currently, that means sheltering in place, and connecting at a physical distance. We plan to follow the recommendations of our local and state health agencies, and have cancelled on-church events until May 10th. Our church leadership is closely monitoring the situation, and will adjust our church re-opening as advised by health officials.
While we shelter in place, we ask ourselves how we can continue to be the Church. How can we connect with each other, share the peace of Christ, and help meet the needs of our community? These are all great questions that we are figuring out.
- Connect with others through non-physical means. Make a phone call, send a text message, or a short video clip to others, to let them know you are thinking of them.
- Pray and stay connected with Jesus. His Word is a great source of comfort and encouragement in all seasons of life.
- Reach out to NFC leadership, and make sure that we have updated contact information for you. We send out regular weekly emails and want you to know how to connect with NFC during this time.
- Emphasize good hygiene in your home. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds (while praying the Lord’s Prayer, or singing another praise song!) to minimize the spread of germs. Stay at home, and avoid contact with family members if you develop symptoms of fever and cough. Contact a medical professional (many are doing consults over the phone now) if your symptoms persist.
- Pray for our neighbors and our global community. Those considered “the least of these” (the poor, refugees, elderly, sick) will be the most severely impacted. These groups are the ones Jesus calls us to protect in Matthew 25. Some have difficult decisions to make in regards to jobs, healthcare, and caring for their family. Let’s be gracious in our thoughts and pray for our neighbors near and far.
We encourage you to check out our online worship service on Sundays at 10:00 am, and connect with our church family during this unknown season. We will continue to add updates to this page when there are changes in the COVID-19 situation.