Updated June 8, 9:30am
Dear Vine Church,

I hope all of you are doing well during this difficult time. As you know, health experts and government authorities continue to make new guidelines to curb the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the United States. Therefore, we have updated our approach which is outlined below.

Events
All Sunday services and other events have been suspended until further notice. We will continue to record a teaching and worship set each week and make it available by 9:00am Sunday morning for you to listen to at home. We encourage you to listen, sing and pray for one another. Our Kids Program curriculum is available on our "Kids Program and Family Resources" page. Be sure to have fun as you teach your children about Jesus from the Bible!

Small Groups
All of our small groups are currently meeting via Zoom. Some of them have started to meet in person in accordance with state guidelines. Small groups have always been the life of our church. If you're not already in one, please feel free to contact a leader and ask for information on how to get involved. You can check out our small groups here: <a href="https://vinechurch.net/involved.php#small_groups"><b>Small Groups</b></a></p><br>

<h3>Youth Groups</h3>
<p>Our middle school group (180) and high school group (Revolution) are currently meeting via Zoom. Please email Josh Franklin for information regarding dates, times and meeting codes at: <a href="mailto:jfranklin@vinechurch.net"><b>jfranklin@vinechurch.net</b></a>. You can also follow us on social media for updates.</p><br>

<h3>Building</h3>
<p>We are not hosting any events at this time. Our office hours will be Monday-Thursday from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Please enter through the main lobby doors and check in with our receptionist. Our staff is working diligently to ensure that our facility is clean and safe for everyone. We ask that you wear a mask when you're in close proximity to others and that you practice social distancing at all times.</p><br>

<h3>Assistance</h3>
<p>If you have any specific needs, or you know of anyone in the Vine community who does, please feel free to reach out to your small group leader. For unemployment help due to the loss of a job during the coronavirus outbreak, please visit: <a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/COVID-19-and-Unemployment-Benefits.aspx"><b>COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits - IDES</b></a>. If you are wondering whether or not you need to be tested for coronavirus or what to do should you experience symptoms, please call the SIH COVID-19 hotline at 844-988-7800. For helpful info, visit this link: <a href="http://www.jchdonline.org/images/jchd_data/admin-support/JCHD_Update_3-16-20.pdf"><b>Coronavirus Disease Update</b></a>.</p><br>

<h3>Giving</h3>
<p>Almost all of the ongoing expenses for Vine Church will continue. If Vine Church is your church home, please be faithful and consistent in your tithes and offerings so that we are able to continue in the things Jesus has asked of us and, when this disruption is over, we are still able to move forward effectively.</p>
<p> At this time, you can give tithes and offerings through your bank's Online Bill Pay option or by mailing your gift to Vine Church, PO Box 2886, Carbondale, IL 62902. However, the most convenient way to give is through our new online giving platform called Tithe.ly. For information on how to get started, click this link: <a href="https://vinechurch.net/events.php?id=400"><b>Giving Options</b></a></p>
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<h3>Moving Forward</h3>
<p>Finally, work hard to stay connected in your small group. Make an effort to talk to friends as months of isolation can leave us feeling lonely. Please think of others and do your best to ensure their safety when you interact with them. We will get through this together, and I trust our faith and relationships will be stronger for having endured it in community.</p>

<p>As things develop in the coming months, we'll be sure to keep you informed through our online Sunday services, small groups and team meetings. The overseers talk constantly and are working together to make the best decisions we can for our church and the community under the authority of the Bible and the influence of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with whatever wisdom God has given us. We appreciate your prayers and patience as we navigate these unprecedented times.</p>

<p>I've been encouraged by the things I've heard about that are happening in the church. People are looking to Jesus for salvation, others are developing deeper relationships, many are learning to seek God on their own, and we are multiplying lots of new small groups. Though circumstances aren't ideal, we're learning what it means to be the church, and Jesus is strengthening us in ways that would have been near impossible otherwise. Father has us in mind as he governs the world, and he intends to do us good and not harm.</p>

<p>Love you all,</p>

<p>Casey</p><br>

<p>P.S. We recognize that we are not healthcare professionals. If you would like more information, please refer to the resources below. To our knowledge, these resources are being updated regularly.</p>

<br><p><h5>Resource Links:</h5><br>
<a href="http://dph.illinois.gov/covid19">Illinois Department of Public Health</a><br>
<a href="https://www.jchdonline.org/index.php">Jackson County Health Department</a><br>
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fprevention-treatment.html">CDC steps to Prevent Illness</a><br>
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html">CDC People at Risk for Serious Illness</a><br>
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html">CDC Situation Summary</a><br>
<a href="https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/">SIU Student Health Services Statement</a></p>
<a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/pages/restoreILP3.aspx">Restore Illinois Phase 3 Guidelines</a></p>