TPPC Coronavirus Update
Where we are now
The Takoma Park Presbyterian Church is prayerfully reviewing the situation related to the coronavirus and will post updates related to worship and church-related functions on this site.
Choir rehearsals have been restarted. Church meetings are being held using Zoom, though as the situation improves, more meetings are being held in person, with the option of attending remotely (hybrid).
The Church Office will remain open, but with new hours - 10 AM to 1 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Hybrid Worship Continues
Our services continue to be held in our Sanctuary. People are welcome to come to church for worship, and we will continue to live-stream our worship service.
Facemasks are currently optional at TPPC. You are welcome to wear facemasks during the worship service. We welcome each person to make their own decision about masking based on their particular situation and preference.
We recommend that everyone stay up-to-date with COVID-19 boosters (and other recommended vaccines).
As before, we ask that you stay home (and join by Zoom instead) if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms can include any of the following:
Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
Fever or chills.
Muscle or body aches.
Vomiting or diarrhea.
New loss of taste or smell.
In addition, we ask that worshipers join us by Zoom (and not come to church) if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
For more information on COVID symptoms, access the CDC's Symptoms of COVID-19 website or the Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet.
For more information on COVID Community Levels, access the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels page or access the COVID-19 by County page, which includes county-level maps.
For general information, contact office@takomaparkpc.org.
Online Worship at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
We will gather for worship using ZOOM (feed available starting about 10:45 AM) as well as in the church. Pastor Harper broadcasts from the church sanctuary while worshipers are invited to attend or to sign on ZOOM. Directions on how to connect and participate in virtual worship will be sent via a group.io e-mail. If you are unfamiliar with ZOOM we recommend you read up a little before the service.
We will set an informal and experimental mood, ask forgiveness as we stumble along our way in a new medium. It will be fun.
For more information about worship at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, access our Worship page.
TPPC Support Network
The deacons are building a TPPC support network to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Do you know of needs in our church community or among your neighbors that are not being met? Are there people who could use regular calls or groceries? Would you like to help meet needs as they are identified?
Email deacons@takomaparkpc.org.
Coronavirus Resources
Here are some other resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic below:
About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Information and Resources: COVID-19 Response: https://takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/project-directory/information-and-resources-covid-19/
U.S. COVID-19 Community Levels by County Map: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels-county-map.html
How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Montgomery County: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/testing.html
COVID-19 Vaccine: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/
Symptoms of Coronavirus (including a Cononavirus Self-Checker): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf
CDC guidance of quarantine and isolation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
Resources for Community and Faith-Based Leaders (from CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.html
COVID-19 Communication Resources (from CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html
Steps to Prevent Illness (from CDC): https://cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 (from CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (from CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Montgomery County Health Department: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/RightNav/Coronavirus.html
COVID-19 Updates from National Captial Presbytery: https://thepresbytery.org/covid-19-update/
Preparedness for Pandemics (PDF) from National Captial Presbytery: https://thepresbytery.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/preparedness_for_pandemics.pdf
COVID-19 Resources from OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
Helpful tips for Churches (from Hacking Christianity): http://hackingchristianity.net/2020/03/i-pastor-a-church-near-a-covid-19-outbreak-this-is-what-churches-can-do.html
Emergency Meal Locations for MCPS Students (PDF): https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/Coronavirus/COVID-19_Emergency_Closure_Meals_for_MCPS_Students.pdf
How to Support Shepherd's Table: https://www.shepherdstable.org/we-your-help-here-are-how-you-can-support-us/
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: https://www.shepherdstable.org/help-our-community-neighbors-helping-neighbors/