A NEW UPDATE WAS POSTED (ON MARCH 15, 2020)

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2020

We are a community of families. To borrow a phrase often used around here, ‘we are a family of families’. Part of being a family means that we love each other and look out for each other.

In the recent days and weeks, our world has been buzzing with news surrounding the COVID-19 virus that has moved across the globe and into our own province. With all the coverage surrounding COVID-19, and the potential risks associated with the outbreak, there is a level of fear and concern that exists.

At Hanover Missionary Church, we are aware of the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus. While we do not want to perpetuate or continue an atmosphere of fear, we are committed to the health, safety, and well being of all those who would choose to worship with us on Sunday mornings or be a part of any of the weekly ministries here. With that in mind, in an attempt to be balanced in our response, we are proactively taking the following measures:

1. For the immediate future, we are limiting handshakes, hugs, and other forms of physical contact that we use to greet each other. While we want to be welcoming, and show friendliness through physical contact, we want to ensure that we are not unnecessarily passing around illnesses.
2. We have replenished our hand sanitizer stations by the main entrance, sanctuary doors, nursery, and other locations throughout our building. Please make use of them when you enter.
3. Please ensure you wash your hands with soap and water after using the washroom.
4. We are switching back to disposable dishes, cups, and cutlery for any event where food or drink are consumed until further notice.
5. We are being vigilant to clean and disinfect all doorknobs and handles where a high volume of people will be touching.
6. There will be some changes to our ministries here at the church during this time. In tandem with the school closures, all weekday ministries and HMC events will be taking a hiatus until April 5th. As of this point, because our Sunday gatherings fall below the 250 person attendance mark, services are still happening, but we will continue to monitor conditions and recommendations. We will re-evaluate our response based on current conditions prior to April 5th.
7. If you have any new symptoms (such as a new cough, sniffles, fever, etc..), even if you think it is just a common cold or virus, or if you have been out of the country in the last fourteen days, please avoid all gatherings, including Sunday mornings, until your symptoms have cleared.

If you are ill and unable to be a part of our Sunday gathering in person, we will have a live stream option available for you to be a part of through our Facebook page. If you want to contribute to the offering, you can continue to give through the tithe.ly app, or by visiting tithe.ly .

If you are choosing to stay away from the Sunday gathering for your own safety and well being, but are not sick, please join us online through our Facebook page. You can give online through tithe.ly as well, or visit us in the office during the week to drop off your offering by envelope or through the debit terminal.

While a situation like this has the potential to create a lot of fear and panic, I want to encourage you to remain calm and trust in our God. Remember that He knows what is going on, and this is ultimately in His hands. We can find comfort and peace in Him, knowing that whatever happens, He is taking care of us.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
(Psalm 91:1-2)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7)

Praying for you in all things,

Pastor Dave