Dear Mt. Vernon Family,

The past weeks have been particularly grievous for the African American community. In the midst of a pandemic that has taken a toll on our community, we witnessed yet another son, George Floyd, be murdered by a white policeman. Our houses of worship are where we have always found encouragement, comfort, understanding, and arms of love in the presence of God. We miss our gatherings at 1501 Jensen Dr. We miss our beautiful historic worship space, our choir, the lighting of our candles, the liturgy, praying at the altar and communion. But the recent rise in coronavirus cases in Houston means we must be prayerful and cautious in re-opening for in-person worship.

Let us be mindful that we are the church, the temple of the living God. Jesus said to the woman at the well “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him” Joh. 4:21-23. So, let us worship God with grateful hearts, making the most of gathering through technology. Our trustees have reviewed the guidelines for re-opening and we will re-open as soon as we can do it safely.)

I have you on my heart and I keep you in my prayers.

Be Blessed!

Pastor Deborah Giles