member update 6/3/2021

Over the last several months, COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths have dropped dramatically since the peak of the pandemic.  In addition, the emergency approval of several vaccines by the FDA has allowed those who wish to be vaccinated to do so for the last few months.  National, state and local officials have all been lifting many restrictions regarding COVID protocols.

Since there has now been sufficient time for any in the church who wish to become vaccinated to do so, we believe that we are ready to make changes to some practices that have been in place since we began meeting in person last summer.   In specific, we will no longer require individuals to wear masks at our church gatherings beginning June 13, 2021.  

We want to encourage each one to follow his/her own convictions regarding masking and social distancing practices.  We also want each of us to give preference to one another by honoring and respecting each other’s convictions.


The meeting room will be arranged with seating back in it’s pre-pandemic orientation starting this Sunday June 6, 2021.   Based on our attendance the last several months, we expect the seating arrangement will still allow families to gather in "pods" and those who wish to remain distanced can continue to do so. 


Four things we would ask for now are as follows:


1) Please continue to practice good hygiene such as frequent hand-washing and the use of caution regarding physical contact with others while at church gatherings.


2) If you believe you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID or you have any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, etc., please stay home (a good practice for any sickness!)


3) Please show honor and respect to others as they follow their own personal convictions and health protocols. Masks and hand sanitizer will continue to be made available in the church building for the foreseeable future. 


4) Please be in prayer for your church family and leadership team, and please reach out to any of the pastors if you have a question, concern or input over the direction we plan to take.

member update 7/10/2020



As we prepare for re-opening this Sunday, we wanted to remind everyone of a few things.  There have been a couple of changes in Marion County since our last communication.  Those changes will be highlighted.  As a reminder, we will begin with one service at our usual start time – 10:30am. We believe that meeting together as a body of believers is essential (Heb 11:24-25), but also recognize the importance of doing so in a way that promotes safety for all members and is in submission to our governmental authorities (Rom 13:1-2).  The guidelines outlined below are likely to be revised in the future as additional information becomes available or the number of cases decreases substantially.     
There are many different opinions regarding the precautions needed for meeting together, but we will outline some key thoughts.  First, Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  As followers of Jesus Christ, we follow His example by putting the interests of others ahead of our own.  All of our actions must put the protection and safety of others ahead of our own comfort. 


Secondly, we understand some will not feel comfortable joining a large group at this point.  We respect your decision to stay at home at this time,  we  encourage you to continue  joining us as we plan to continue streaming our Sunday service.  Those with high-risk medical conditions should consider not attending until infection rates decline significantly in the community. 


Thirdly, please make every effort to abide by the guidance provided.  While some parts of the guidance may seem uncomfortable, unnatural, or inconvenient these guidelines are in place to protect both you and others.  In particular, the CDC recommends that wearing masks protects others from those who may be infected but have mild or no symptoms of the virus. 


Guidelines for the Sunday morning service:

  1. If you have a fever or have any symptoms of illness, we ask that you please remain at home.  If you are 65 or older or have autoimmune health issues, you are encouraged to consider remaining at home. 

  2. Masks will be mandatory (at least for now).  Please bring your own mask.  The church does have a supply of masks that will be made available if you don’t have one.  Everyone will be required to wear a mask.  Those on the worship team and the teaching pastor will remove their masks to lead worship and teach, but otherwise have the masks on.  Anyone experiencing distress in breathing may remove their mask during the teaching.  Children under the age of 3 are not required to wear a mask.  This is a change from our previous email and is due to the recent requirements by the mayor in Marion of Indianapolis. 

  3. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be available throughout the building and are encouraged to be used. 

  4. We ask that there be no direct contact (handshakes, hugs, etc.) and that social distancing (6’ separation) be maintained as much as possible.

  5. We will have a greeter outside and three inside to help us all remain at a safe distance.  Seating will not be “as usual”, so you may not be able to sit in your “usual spot”.  Chairs will be arranged so that families and single households can sit together.  We will have additional seating available in the lobby as needed. 

  6. In light of these precautions, it seems best for all if we do not “hang out” together in the building before or after the service.  Since there is lots of space outdoors, we encourage everyone to enjoy fellowship in the parking lot or church grounds as long as the weather permits. Please consider continuing the social distancing even outside.

  7. Initially, we will not be serving coffee or refreshments.  Once we lift the mandatory requirement to wear masks, we will again serve coffee. 

  8. There will be no children’s classes. Parents are encouraged to bring items to help keep their children occupied.  Classrooms will be accessible only for those who have children who may get restless and need tended to during the service.  We can only allow one family per classroom at a time.  Parents will be responsible to sanitize any toys used and surfaces touched used while in the classroom. 


member update 5/7/2020



Most of you have most likely heard or read Governor Holcomb’s recent plans to reopen the state of Indians in various stages.  Governor Holcomb’s guidelines for churches indicated his preference is for churches to continue to meet online for now. What are our plans?  Well, we want you to know that while we can’t wait to be reunited with everyone, for everyone’s safety we don’t want to rush to reconvene our physical gatherings. 


Please understand, ECCC is NOT closed!  Because we are now streaming our weekly messages, we are reaching and engaging more people than ever before.  Many have joined us for the first time.  Streaming has provided an easy and non-threatening way to invite others to church.  We need to remember, we don’t just attend church, we ARE the church!


Of course, we can’t wait to gather together with everyone when it is safe.  For now, we will continue our mission online and in small groups.  We don’t want to gather physically too soon and jeopardize lives and our witness to the city.  We are listening to the officials and medical professionals’ recommendations.  We are here to serve the community.  The well-being of our community is our top priority. 


Our pastors and leadership team are discussing immediate next steps as well as for the summer.  We do want to encourage our life groups and growth groups to continue to make connections, while observing the recommended guidelines. We do ask that you continue to pray.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we continue to try to figure things out.  And do continue to serve in our community – through our food pantry, through meeting needs around you.  And please continue to invite others to our online service and share our social network links. 

member update 3/18/2020



It is amazing how quickly things change!  Not long after we sent out the last update the government came out with updated recommendations for gatherings – indicating they recommend no gatherings larger than 10 people.  Although it was also clear that we don’t have to be “exacting” in these numbers, we realize that there is “method” to their recommendations.

 

With that in mind, we ask that you use caution and prayerfully consider other options rather than meet in larger groups.  When considering getting together with family, church family or friends, please consider the recommendations made by the professionals. 

 

Unfortunately, pretty much all church services are being cancelled (including ours) until an undetermined time.  So, we will continue to communicate via email, Facebook and our website. 

 

We have decided to try live streaming and recording our messages.  We will begin this Sunday with the message to begin at 10:30.  We will try to send out some recommendations on how to make the most of a home worship time in preparation for listening to the message.  We will send the link out later for you to join the live stream this Sunday.

 

We do have food pantry scheduled for next Wednesday, March 25.  Rather than have the food pantry operate as normal, we will provide a “drive up” service, with the food items already bagged.  We will need additional volunteers.  This is a great opportunity for those who are at “lower risk” to volunteer and help our community.  If you are healthy and show no signs of sickness, will you please consider volunteering?  Please contact the church office (info@eaglecreekchurch.org) if you can help next week.

 

Although this is a challenging time, it is also a time for the church to “rise up” and be an example to those around us.  If you have other ideas on how to serve those who are high risk and should not get out please let us know.

 

Let us all take courage and rest in the peace we have in the Lord Jesus Christ during these difficult times. 

 

"These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage,  I have overcome the world."    John 16:33

With that in mind, we ask that you use caution and prayerfully consider other options rather than meet in larger groups.  When considering getting together with family, church family or friends, please consider the recommendations made by the professionals. 

 

Unfortunately, pretty much all church services are being cancelled (including ours) until an undetermined time.  So, we will continue to communicate via email, Facebook and our website. 

 

We have decided to try live streaming and recording our messages.  We will begin this Sunday with the message to begin at 10:30.  We will try to send out some recommendations on how to make the most of a home worship time in preparation for listening to the message.  We will send the link out later for you to join the live stream this Sunday.

 

We do have food pantry scheduled for next Wednesday, March 25.  Rather than have the food pantry operate as normal, we will provide a “drive up” service, with the food items already bagged.  We will need additional volunteers.  This is a great opportunity for those who are at “lower risk” to volunteer and help our community.  If you are healthy and show no signs of sickness, will you please consider volunteering?  Please contact the church office (info@eaglecreekchurch.org) if you can help next week.

 

Although this is a challenging time, it is also a time for the church to “rise up” and be an example to those around us.  If you have other ideas on how to serve those who are high risk and should not get out please let us know.

 

Let us all take courage and rest in the peace we have in the Lord Jesus Christ during these difficult times. 

 

"These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage,  I have overcome the world."    John 16:33

covid-19 response and member updates

It is difficult to know exactly what to say or how to respond in such a time as this.  One thing we can say with certainty, our God is good and our God cares deeply for each one of us.  It is our prayer that each one of us will be faithfully going to God’s Word during this difficult time.  Consider reminders like these:

 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

 

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

As we encouraged everyone at the beginning of the year, we hope and pray this is a year of spiritual growth and maturity.  Might we all be faithfully going to the Lord in prayer and reading His Word daily, seeking to grow and to remain encouraged.

 

Please keep in mind, the church is not a building.  The church is and always has been the body of Christ, united together by His Holy Spirit.  Nothing changes that, not even temporary isolation.

 

The pastors and leaders will be meeting this week to continue to discuss how we as a church can make the most of this challenging circumstance.  And we will be keeping everyone posted.  In the meantime, please consider the following:

  • Please check in regularly with our website.  We will keep it updated with any new information we might have.  Also please check your email regularly, as we will try to send out regular updates.
  • Please do stay connected in life groups.  Last evening our life group met for dinner and our normal time of fellowship, looking at the Word and prayer and it was a very encouraging time. 
  • Consider inviting another single, couple or family from the church over for a meal and fellowship. 
  • Consider staying connected via phone calls, messaging, social networking and other means to communicate and encourage one another and build each other up.
  • Consider those in the church family who might have needs during this time and consider how you might help (for example, those who have children out of school and now at home and may need childcare).
  • Please do reach out to those in your neighborhoods that may be more at risk (i.e. the elderly) and see if they have any needs (groceries, medical supplies picked up, etc.)
  • If you are in an at-risk group yourself, please try to remain isolated as much as possible.  We certainly want to make sure we are taking good care of ourselves so that we can ultimately take care of others.  Consider asking someone else to go to the store for you or run other errands you may need to take care of.
  • We are so very thankful for the generosity of our church family and your faithfulness to give.  Without your faithfulness in this area, it would be difficult to continue to meet the operational needs of the church as well as support vital ministries in the church, locally and globally.  To help you to be able to continue sending in your tithes and offerings, there are several options.  Many are already giving online.  If you have not done so, you can get set up on our website:  https://www.eaglecreekchurch.org/giving

    If you normally write a check and give on Sunday mornings and want to continue to give that way, you can send the checks to the church office.  5943 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254