WALi Summit - Canceled
WALi Summit - Canceled
Monday, June 29, 2020 - Thursday, July 2, 2020
One-Day Intensives: June 29, 2020
To the Worship Arts Leader Initiative (WALi) Community:
As we are all aware, the COVID-19 coronavirus, as a global phenomenon, drove churches and its leaders into an unusually shared ministry experience. With reported cases of the virus on the rise in our communities, and public health officials making it clear that these numbers would increase exponentially, decisions to close the doors of our churches and schools, and refrain from gathering in any capacity, were being made by the hour. Moreover, many of you were propelled into the new (and perhaps uncomfortable) role of technical arts ministry staff, having to become overnight live streaming “experts” and social media specialists; while at the same time, leading your ministry triage teams in crisis-mode and managing the well-being of your own families. It has been a blessing to see and hear of the tireless and unseen work that you are doing for the sake of the Gospel – work that you all are so willing to share with one another, in support of each other, out of your love for Christ and neighbor. Profound evidence of the Triune God at work in-and-through his Church!
We are also well aware of the negative impact of this pandemic. Effects that go far beyond the immediate health dangers that we monitor daily. Of course, we can’t possibly anticipate every long term implication, but we can certainly expect to feel the short term repercussions as we continue to make the health and safety of our communities top priority per the guidance of our local, state and federal authorities. Restricted travel and gathering size, heightened caution as we do everything we can to help flatten the curve of the spread of the virus, shifting church budget decisions, job security and looming financial hardships, our own health and the well-being of our families, etc. –– all are substantial contributors to our unknown future. In prayerful consideration of these things, and under advisement from the Concordia Irvine COVID-19 Management Team, the WALi Summit Planning Team believes that the wisest course of action is to cancel this summer’s worship conference at CUI.
Refunds will be processed shortly for those of you who have already registered and paid. If you have questions on the refund process, contact Joel Wetzstein at wetzstein.joel@gmail.com. It should also be understood that due to the many complexities of CUI’s campus calendar, especially now, we will not have an alternative date for the conference this summer, but will instead seek to schedule something in 2021. While it is heartbreaking to cancel such a great event, we are confident that God has a better plan for us, and we look forward to sharing that plan with you in his time! If you have any other questions regarding the Summit and our decision, please contact me at jon.jordening@cui.edu.
In the meantime, as in all things and in every circumstance, we lift you and your ministry up to our God. Prayers for you as you continue to lead in the midst of this crisis with the hope of the Gospel. May God cultivate faith in the midst of fear, give his peace in the chaos of your storm, and through his Spirit, give you joy as you show love for your neighbor in a time where self-centeredness is our first instinct for survival. We pray it in the name Jesus!
Blessings,
The WALi Summit Planning Team
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