Dear Brethren, the City of Choctaw has mandated that masks be worn from September 6th through October 6th of this year. Here are a few particulars from the City’s document itself, Ordinance 830-2020. Actual quotes are underlined:

Section B. Definitions, paragraph #1 – “Face Covering” means a covering that fully covers a person’s nose and mouth. The term “Face Covering” includes, but is not limited to, cloth face masks, towels, scarves, and bandanas as recommended by the CDC or OSDH, an N95, KN95, or other mask that would be appropriate for a health care setting, or a surgical mask…..

Section B. paragraph #5 – Places of worship are included

Section C. 1. – Masks must be worn, “…wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of physical distancing from another person not in the same household” which should mean that if you can maintain 6 feet of distance from others, you are not at that time required to wear a mask.

Section C. 1. a. – Those under 10 years of age are not required to mask up.

Section C. 1. b. – Those with medical issues that would be exacerbated by a mask are not required to wear them. (unfortunately, being sick of wearing a mask does not count)

Section C. 1. c. – No one consuming food is required to wear a mask, which should mean that we do not have to wear them during the Lord’s Supper.

We, your shepherds, have decided to comply with this mandate as it is at present. While we encourage everyone to wear a mask according to the above guidelines, we want you to know that we have no intention of policing its observance, nor will we be looking for anyone who chooses to do otherwise.

We do continue to ask, however, that you respect the south hallway & fellowship hall as an area strictly designated for mask wearers only. In this case, it does include children.

May God bless us in these strange times that we may as always, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and pursue those things which make for peace.