JANUARY 17, 2024
Goshen Family,
It was great to see so many of you this past Sunday when we gathered for one worship service in our Family Life Center. Thanks for your flexibility with schedule changes and program cancellations as we deal with the cleaning and restoration process after the fire on January 9. And thanks as well for the many helping hands this past weekend (to set up and dismantle everything in the FLC).
The restoration work in the FLC requires further attention to the acoustic panels, walls, and ceiling in the days ahead. As a result of this, we will not be able to meet in the FLC, or to access any of our buildings, for the next few weeks.
In light of this, our plan for Sundays, January 21 and 28, is to gather for fellowship and worship off site—at Delaware County Christian School (Upper Campus, 462 Malin Road in Newtown Square). Here are the details for the next two Sundays:
- Fellowship time with refreshments (including coffee and bagels), 9:15-9:45 a.m.
- Worship Service, 10:00 a.m. in the Student Union (livestream available).
- Childcare will be provided (including Nursery, Children’s Church, and Kids Time Celebration). Parents, be looking for a follow-up email from Lori Herson with more specific information.
- Contact the church office (610-696-3188; office@goshenbaptist.org) if you would like to be part of our off-site hospitality crew.
- If you need a ride, we’ll be providing shuttle service from Goshen (departing at 9:00 a.m.) to DCCS on these two dates. To reserve a seat, notify our church office no later than noon on Friday.
- No Sunday School on January 21 and 28.
Looking ahead to Sunday, February 4, and beyond, we will know more in the coming days—and we’ll be in touch with you as plans come together.
The cleaning and restoration efforts are being focused first on the lower level of our facility. Among other things, this prioritizes the reopening of our children’s classrooms for use by Goshen Baptist Preschool and for Sunday morning gatherings.
The work that needs to be done on the upper level at Goshen will take longer, given the amount of carpet that must be removed and the fabric pew cushions that will have to be replaced, plus other tasks. We can’t say how long, but best to think in terms of months rather than weeks.
Please pray for our church’s ministry teams and leaders in this trying time. Building space has very often been a vital resource for our classes, programs, and outreaches, so it is difficult to be “displaced.” As you pray, especially remember our Preschool staff, students, and families.
Friends, let’s remember: God has met our needs time and time again over the years, and even now, despite the inconveniences, he is opening doors and leading us day by day. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Peter
JANUARY 12, 2024
We emailed the following message to the church family today:
*******
Church Family,
It’s been, shall we say, an eventful week at Goshen! Although we’re dealing with fire-related damage and a complex clean-up process, we’re happy to say that a plan for us to gather safely for worship is coming together.
This Sunday, January 14, we will have ONE worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center (livestream available). The professional cleaning/restoration company that we have working at church has indicated that they will have the FLC (with the adjacent lobby and restrooms) ready for us to use on Sunday. Lord willing, in the very near future we will be able to re-open other sections of our facility—but for this week, it’s the FLC only.
And so, please note:
- Plan to enter and exit the building through the FLC doors (all other entrances will be locked).
- This week we will not be able to provide childcare or children’s programs during the worship service.
- Sunday School will not be offered this week.
- There will be no access to any other parts of our building.
In light of these factors, we’re preparing our worship service to be shorter than usual (i.e., under an hour), and to include elements oriented toward families and children.
We will be back in touch as soon as possible (by email, and on this page) with info about on-site activities at GBC that may be possible in the near future—as soon as we can be sure that spaces are prepared for our safe use.
Thank you for your flexibility as we walk this road! We’ve run into an obstacle with this fire, but we can be so very thankful to the Lord that the damage wasn’t worse and that the cleaning/restoration process is underway and moving forward. Let’s keep the big picture in view: Jesus Christ is building his church, he’s leading us as our Good Shepherd, and he will be with us no matter what—now and forever!
Joining you in giving thanks for saving grace,
Pastor Peter
JANUARY 11, 2024
Goshen Family,
Yesterday, Jan. 10, we sent the following message by email to our church-wide distribution list:
*******
Last night or early this morning there was a fire in our church’s Youth Room, which was centered in the stage floor structure. The flames did not spread widely within the room, but the fire caused significant smoke damage to the Youth Room, as well as spreading smoke and residue throughout the entire lower level. The smoke also spread to the upper level.
The Fire Department was called and they came out. We are currently in the process of having the damage assessed, including by the Fire Marshall. We are also in the process of communicating with our insurance company.
It is impossible to say right now how soon our facility will be available for use. We will keep you posted as soon as we can provide more helpful information.
At present, our buildings are not available for church use, and all on-site programs/activities today and tonight are CANCELLED.
*******
To add to the above info, all on-site activities are cancelled up to and including Sat., Jan. 13.
By tomorrow, Jan. 12, we will send another email and post updated information on this page about the status of our facility and plans for church services this Sunday, Jan. 14.
Thanks for your patience and understanding!
Pastor Peter
