Thank you for your prayers and patience as we continue to evaluate and adjust our plans in light of the rapidly-changing status of COVID-19.

Following the latest guidance from Governor Mike DeWine, and officials with the Ohio State Department of Health (OSDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cedar Hill Baptist Church will not gather in person but will offer online Sunday morning worship services until further notice.

In addition, all Cedar Hill ministry events and meetings, and all ministries that use our facilities, are canceled or postponed until further notice. The Cedar Hill Church offices are closed and staff are working remotely until further notice.
Sunday Morning Worship Services
Sunday morning worship services will be live streamed at cedarhillbaptist.org/livestream every Sunday at 10:45 a.m. on our livestream webpage with recordings of past services available on the same page.  There are also numerous audio sermons and notes available from past series available at cedarhillbaptist.org/sermons.
Finances & Giving
Our Pastor and Deacons will be monitoring cash flow and expenses. We are grateful that our church was in a solid financial position prior to this season.  However, everything we do in ministry is dependent on our collective generosity.  While we will reduce expenses where possible, the support of our staff and missionaries and the care of our members through Benevolence takes place through our faithful giving.

Online giving, which is in process of activation, will be an important part of supporting the ongoing ministry of Cedar Hill.  We will send out a notice as soon as it is available, and there will be a link for that purpose on our website.  Until then, you can mail in your gift directly to the church at 12601 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106, or have your financial institution mail it on your behalf through ACH.  Watch for more information soon concerning the availability of online giving.
Community Care
Our deacons, through our LifeGroups and other avenues, will be assisting our pastor in providing care for our people in this season—especially those in our congregation who are at greatest risk and those in our medical community who have an added burden of care and stress.  In addition, we will seek to use technology in increasingly innovative ways to provide counseling, care and discipleship.
Stay Informed
All future updates will continue to be distributed through this page and occasional video communications which will also be posted here.  Thank you for your commitment to Cedar Hill—to Jesus, to one another and to reaching out to our community—during this unusual season.  Always remember, the church is NOT a BUILDING to which we GO, but a BODY to which we BELONG.  We are praying for God’s leading and wisdom as we navigate the next several weeks.

Risk-Related Guidance for Future Sunday Morning Participation When Resumed   
Based on guidance from the CDC, we request you do not attend Sunday morning worship services, if you are in any of these at-risk categories:  
1. Older adults (typically age 60 and above)
2. People who have serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes,  or lung disease
3. Immunosuppressed individuals (people with recent or upcoming surgeries; people on autoimmune treatments, including steroids; people with impaired heart, kidney, or liver function; or people going through cancer treatment)
4. Direct caregivers of at-risk individuals (non-medical personnel) 
Additionally, we request you do not attend Sunday services, if you meet any of the following conditions:  
1. Have had flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting) in the past 14 days
2. Have traveled internationally within the past 14 days 
3. Have traveled recently to domestic areas that have been highly affected by the coronavirus in the past 14 days
4. Have been in close contact with someone with flu-like symptoms in the past 14 days

Good Health practices should always be a priority for us. But as we watch the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread its way around the globe, it is a good time to for us to review and, as necessary, revise those practices. 
The Surgeon General has expressed that “the risk to any individual [American] is incredibly low.” However, he cautioned that the coronavirus task force is moving to a phase of seeking to “limit the spread of cases in the community.”
There are three ways governments are dealing with coronavirus: isolation, quarantine, and social distancing. The first two are are aimed at specific situations and not presently applicable to us.  And though postponing or cancelling church gatherings may or may not be on the horizon for us, we want to take whatever preventative steps we can now. 

1. Available Resources.

There are copies of the CDC documents concerning COVID-19 available at the welcome center for any who would like a copy.  Our Connection Team members are the frontline for information at Cedar Hill. 

2. Necessary Communication.  

Our congregation is a very international community, including our ESL program and sister congregation, the Cleveland Chinese Evangelical Church.  Communication is important throughout our community.  And we are asking everyone to let the office know if any of the following are ever applicable.
1. Have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
2. Have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
3. Have had to self-quarantine because of such travel or contact.

3. Good Hygiene.

Good hygiene practices are important all the time, but especially during the flu season. The appearance of COVID-19 provides an occasion to be reminded of these practices.
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
2. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Stay home when you are sick or exhibit flu-like symptoms (i.e. coughing, sneezing, fever, nausea, body aches).
5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
We want to re-emphasize the importance of hand-washing and good health practices for all of our staff and volunteers, being especially cautious when working with the especially young or old, and those who may have suppressed immune systems.

4. Verbal Greetings.

At least temporarily, this is a good time to modify routines that can contribute to the spreading illness.  The Surgeon General has said, “It is prudent to limit touching, especially hand-to-hand.”  Consequently, we would encourage everyone to simply use verbal greetings instead of hand-shaking or hugging.  And for those who just have to reach out, changing to a “fist-bump” or an “elbow-bump” would be preferable for the present time! 

If you have not been baptized by immersion since your conversion, here is your opportunity! A service is being planned soon. Use the Connection Card or the online form to indicate your interest in participating or learning more about it. Instruction for Children, Youth and Adults will be provided.