Worship Together

NEW PROCEDURES FOR WORSHIP

As state mandates concerning COVID-19 procedures are being lifted and as the CDC is offering more advice on how to move forward, the church board has met to discuss guidelines for our church community to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy.  Please review the following changes to our recent procedures for moving forward. 

1. Sanitation stations and baskets of disposable masks will remain throughout the church building for the convenience for all that enter the building. 
2. Masks are no longer required.  We do recommend that you wear a mask if you are more comfortable wearing one or if you have not been vaccinated.  Remember that our children have not been vaccinated so we want to wear masks when we are close to them or remain socially distant.  
3. We will keep the pews marked so that families can sit together and choose to remain socially distant (six foot) from others.
4. We will continue to offer pre-packaged communion elements as you enter the sanctuary.  You can also find them on the table behind the pews.  You are welcome to bring your own communion elements.
5. We will continue to leave the offering plates in the back windows for folks to place their offering in as they enter or exit the sanctuary. 
6. If you are sick or running a fever, we ask that you join us for worship from your home—online or Free Conference Call (563-999-1222).
7. We will replace the hymnbooks and Bibles in the pew.  Please use for your convenience.
8. Children’s Class-The children’s class will continue to meet in the Fellowship Hall.  Individually wrapped snacks will be offered and we will use the outdoor playground as much as possible (after they have finished their lesson).
9. During the summer months, we use our outdoor worship space once a month.  Details on specific dates will follow.  We hope that more folks will feel comfortable joining us in our outdoor worship setting throughout the summer.

Graduation Sunday-June 6

Do you have a graduate in your family? Preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, post-graduate, or completion of other education? We will honor all of our graduates during worship on Sunday, June 6 at 10:30 am. Our worship will be outside that Sunday. We would love to have all graduates participate as we honor all that God is doing in their lives. Please email hoodmemorialchurch@gmail.com or call the church office with the names of your graduates.

Ladles of Love Volunteers Needed

Prayerfully consider how you can help with Ladles of Love.  We feed 25 residents of the Cottondale apartments (across the street from the church) and 2-3 other neighbors in need each week.  We need several folks who can help with meal preparation.  You can commit to one week, a month at a time, or as much as you are able.  Here are the details:

• Pick up items to prepare from the church kitchen on Tuesday afternoon.  
• Prepare about 10 meals at home at your convience.
• If you prepare them Wednesday afternoon, you may bring them to the church and place them in the refrigerator.  If you prepare them Thursday morning, you can bring them to the church by 9:30 am.  
• If you are unable to bring them to the church, we can arrange for pick up from your home.  

Can you prepare meals one week?  Three weeks?  For a month?  Longer?  Please contact Beulah Pope or Joanie Williams if you are able to assist with this important ministry. We need you.

Hygiene & School Kits

We have been asked again by our Regional Staff to help provide Hygiene Kits & School Kits through the Church World Service. We will collect all kits by May 30. These bags go to families in crisis–generally in areas hit by natural disasters. Many of the bags we packed last September went to offer relief for storm victims in Texas. We have gallon size bags and canvas bags available at the church for you to pick up, fill up, and return.

Here’s what you’ll need for Hygiene Kits:

• One hand towel measuring approximately 15″ x 28″ to 16″ x 32″ (no fingertip, bath, dish towel or micro-fiber)
• One washcloth
• One wide-tooth comb removed from the package
• One fingernail or toenail clipper removed from the package (either one is acceptable)
• One bath-size bar of soap in the original package
• One toothbrush in the original package
• Ten standard size Band-Aids

All items need to fit inside a one-gallon Ziploc type bag. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal before boxing.

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Here’s what you’ll need for School Kits:

• One pair of blunt scissors removed from the package (rounded tip, only)
• Three 70-count bound notebooks or notebooks totaling 200-210 pages (no loose-leaf or filler paper)
• One 30-centimeter / 12” ruler
• One hand-held pencil sharpener removed from the package
• One large eraser (no pencil cap erasers)
• Six new, unsharpened pencils with erasers (please remove pencils from the package)
• One box of 24 crayons (only 24)
• One 12”x14” to 14”x17” finished size cotton or lightweight canvas bag with handles (solid color or kid-friendly fabric, no logos, reusable shopping bags or backpacks)–THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT CHURCH

301 Yard Sale

Hood Memorial DWM is participating in the 301 Endless Yard Sale. June 18-19 from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm. We welcome your donations. Please contact Pastor Joanie to arrange a time to drop them off at the church building. Please price your items before bringing them if you are able. Thank you for your help.