Special COVID-19 Updates
The City Recreation spring swimming program is now cancelled. Participants will receive a refund via original method of payment. We don’t have any additional information at this time about summer swim.
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The Springtime Community Festival / Touch a Truck, scheduled for Saturday, May 9 has been postponed.
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Yard waste and brush pick-up suspended
The yard waste and brush curb side pick-up collections are suspended due to the mandated order for health and safety concerns.
Residents may take yard waste and brush to the Department of Public Works site on North Business US-27. Access to the yard waste drop off site is off of Kuntz Drive. Please follow the access drive behind Journey Federal Credit Union. This site is open 24/7.
Once the mandate is lifted, the yard waste and brush curb side pick-up will resume. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Used tire collection postponed
The used tire collection that was scheduled for May 11 has been postponed. The City is working to schedule a date later in the year.
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Spring Clean-Up postponed
Spring Clean-Up that was scheduled for May 9th has been postponed. We are working to schedule a date later in the year.
Stay Updated
Mid-Michigan District Health Department website: www.mmdhd.org
MDHHS’s website: www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
CDC’s website: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Learn how to prepare for a pandemic: ready.gov/pandemic
Video essay on Easter and spring with Pastor Matt Olson
Four minute walking-talking essay on Easter and the pulse of spring, in spite of the crazy humans transmitting disease to each other, presented with permission from First Congregational Church of St. Johns, Pastor Matt Olson.
Michigan UMC offers first-of-its-kind virtual Easter Service
The Michigan United Methodist Church Bishop David Alan Bard will lead a historic 45-minute virtual Easter Service at 10 a.m. EDT (9 a.m. CDT) Sunday in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, State Safe” executive order during the COVID-19 outbreak.
It’s the first time since the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church was created in 1969 that worshippers have been asked not to gather in person on Easter Sunday. The United Methodist Church ranks as the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the United States with over 12 million members. The Michigan Conference comprises nearly 750 United Methodist churches statewide, representing over 120,000 members and more than 650 clergy members.
“We are at a critical juncture in stemming the reach of coronavirus, and as a church we can play an important role in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 disease,” Bard said. “This is a time like none other we have experienced. I take this disease seriously, and United Methodists are willing to do their part for the health and well-being of our world.”
Worshippers who go Sunday to michiganumc.org/easter-2020 at 10 a.m. EDT will hear a sermon from the bishop, as well as organ and piano music by University United Methodist Church Music Director Connie Gamage with accompaniment featuring Michigan State University student soloists Nora Feldpausch and Matthew Greenberg.
All participants in Sunday’s digital service will adhere to safe social distancing protocols as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prayers and liturgies will be offered by the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Chief Connectional Ministries Officer for the Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church, and Paul Hahm, Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Lansing. A children’s time with the Rev. Kathy Pittenger, Michigan Conference Children’s Ministry Coordinator, is included as part of Sunday’s service.
Whitmer signed an executive order March 13 recommending that people stay home to help mitigate the deadly COVID-19 disease that’s spreading across Michigan and the nation. United Methodist leaders are recommending that local churches refrain from gathering in person for worship at this time, in part because older congregants are in a higher-risk group that health experts say is more vulnerable to developing complications from coronavirus.
“We’re trying to use technology, creativity and innovation to make it as close to being together as possible,” Bard said. “We see this unprecedented moment in Michigan as a real opportunity for United Methodists to share this platform with their family, friends and neighbors and introduce them to a worship experience for those who might be looking to connect with faith at this time without leaving their homes.
”Moving to an online Easter Sunday service is the Methodist Church’s way of putting action behind its prayers for our congregation and all Michiganders to stay healthy,” Bard said.
Clinton Transit installs bus operator and passenger protection sneeze guards
Clinton Transit also reminds us that social-distancing offenses could result in fines.
The Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order April 2 that sets a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for not complying with executive orders banning gatherings and nonessential businesses, including social distancing (not keeping at least 6 feet between individuals) and a process for referral to licensing agencies for violations of Executive Orders 2020-11, 2020-20 and 2020-21. Criminal penalties for violation will remain an option for prosecutors.