We're planning to have in-person worship in the Sanctuary on Sunday, July 5th. However, given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in our community, that plan could change to drive-in worship. Please follow us on social media or sign-up for our eNewsletter to get updates.
All worshipers are asked to make a reservation for Sunday, July 5th. If you plan to attend, fill out this form or call the church office by July 2nd.
Updated: Aug 28, 2020
Updated 6/15/20
On June 21 & 28 at 10:30am, we will host drive-in worship ONLY in the church parking lot based on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Hillsborough County and out of an abundance of caution. We will keep you informed of our return to Sanctuary worship in the future.
Dear friends,
For weeks we have been looking forward to safely gathering again. And while COVID-19 is still a very real danger, we feel that with safety precautions in place, we can worship safely as a congregation.
Starting July 5th at 10:30am, we will host weekly in-person worship in our Sanctuary. This will be one service, and social distancing will be observed. This will look and feel different from how we “used” to worship together. A few changes you will notice:
We request that all persons over age two wear masks – this is to keep our most vulnerable members safe. We will have disposable masks available if you do not have your own.
Hand sanitizing stations upon entry and throughout the church for frequent use.
Households will be seated six feet apart, and we ask that you listen to the directions of volunteers as they help us to maintain social distancing.
We will have music, but we will not worship by singing together. COVID-19 droplets have been proven to spread through singing more than through other means.
We will not offer childcare during worship at this time.
Reservations are requested – sign up online at here or call the church office to let us know if you plan to worship with us in person.
Other group gatherings outside of worship are still on hold for now.
Please, if you are someone in the population most vulnerable to COVID-19 – over 65, or with a preexisting condition – we encourage you to stay home to stay safe. We will continue to offer live online worship at our Facebook page. We will also continue to offer live call-in worship at (844) 855-4444, access code 134223.
We are committed to keeping our community safe, and we ask for your continued prayers for our church as we navigate what it looks like to do ministry in the time of COVID-19.
We are also committed to supporting racial justice in our community. If you want to be part of a group working for racial reconciliation, call or email us at office@semheights.com. Issues of safety and justice are intertwined, and we must address both in order to follow the command to, “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 6:8). I look forward to seeing you soon!
Blessings,
Pastor Tiffania
Updated: May 13, 2020
Dear Friends,
We are looking forward to being together again, but it is important for us all to do our part to stay home and stay safe as much as possible for now. Bishop Ken Carter has asked all United Methodist Churches in Florida not to gather for in-person worship until after June 15, and possibly even longer.
Our church has formed a Re-opening Committee, which will come up with a plan following the guidelines given to us by the Florida Annual Conference for how we can safely worship together as soon as June 21.
We will keep you all updated as we get closer to that date. For current updates, check our website.
We will continue to offer online worship on Facebook Live every Sunday at 10:30am. You do not need a Facebook account to watch the Facebook Live worship. Click “not now” when prompted to create an account.
We will also continue to offer Conference Call worship at 10:30am on Sundays when you call this number: (844) 855-4444. You will be asked to dial this access code when you call: 134223.
We are checking phone messages and the mail, so do not hesitate to call or email with any needs you may have.
Finally, I want to thank you all for your continued support and for your gifts. Through second-mile gifts to the Helping Hands fund, we have blessed the staff at Tampa General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital as they work on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Let's keep it going! Consider making a gift online or mailing your gift in today.
You are all in my prayers, and I ask that you keep praying for our church five times per day. We will get through this together!
Blessings,
Pastor Tiffania