ello FCC Family,  

In John 14:27 Jesus tells his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
 
During this unprecedented time of fear and anxiety, isolation and social distancing, we must remain focused on who we are and our identity as the Christian Church in North America and Canada, “We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”
 
We are a people of faith who exist to bring peace and connection to our fragmented community in response to God’s Grace. This means we are to actively be the compassionate body of Christ actively loving and caring for one another, worshiping and praying together, and continuing the healing ministry of Jesus wherever we are.  
 
This has presented some monumental challenges as we continue to be church from our individual homes. It has also made us very aware of the gifts of this congregation and the grace and light that has been, and will continue to be shared, through us as the body of Christ. Anchorage First Christian Church will move through this global crisis together as we continue to practice our faith, following our example by Jesus of trusting God and one another.
 
Here are some important ways we want to connect with you.
 
Sunday Worship
This week will use the online conferencing application called Zoom. Zoom is an interactive platform so we will be able to see and speak with one another so that we can check in and share our joys and concerns.   We will have most of the usual parts of our surface and Sandy Messick, our Regional Minister for the Northern Lights Region will be joining to share a word with us. During the service time, we invite you to create sacred space by lighting a candle and bringing your Bible if you wish.  We also encourage you to have your own communion elements (some form of liquid and bread) so that we can all partake of communion together. We will not have our normal music and singing capabilities, but hope to progress each week.

How to use Zoom

Please contact us at [email protected] to get the Zoom link. 
 
The link is live so you can click it at any time to prepare for our actual service time on Sunday.  Once you click the link the Zoom will ask permission to download the application onto your computer.  Click the blue box that says “Join with Video”. A second box will pop up. Before clicking on “Join with Computer Audio” , click on “Test speaker and microphone” beneath the box. Once the test is complete click “Join with Computer Audio”.  After that you should be able to see yourself on the screen. (You may have to click “Join with Computer Audio” a second time.  

Here is a how to video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIkCmbvAHQQ#action=share

Again, you can go and try it any time.  You can’t break anything. The worst thing that can happen is that someone else is in there also experimenting!  BE SURE, however, to click LEAVE MEETING in red in the lower right hand corner of your screen. Otherwise, your camera will stay on in the room and people will be watching you answer emails and watching videos.  : )  

If you have any problems or questions call Rebecca Johnson at 907-240-8907.  She is NOT a computer expert, but has a fair amount of experience with Zoom and can walk you through the basics.  

Online Giving
Our congregation’s future is directly tied to online giving. Please sign up for online giving at our newly designed website https://fccanchorage.weebly.com/give.html and feel free to contact Sara Thomas at (907) 360-4797 our financial secretary.  She will be happy to walk you through the set up. Our budget relies on you. Our congregational weekly giving and user group incomes are both being dramatically interrupted during this crisis.
 
HEALTH PRACTICES
We are actively following the CDC and our State Public Health directives. We encourage you to check these sites regularly to get the most up to date and accurate information for the nation and the state.  
CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
Alaska Department of Health and Human Services:  http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/default.aspx

Blessings of safety, health and service to all in this time of crisis,

FCC Staff