mask guidance

On 08/18/2021, Governor Inslee instituted a statewide indoor mask mandate effective 08/23/21 regardless of vaccination status.  Pursuant to Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17 and the governing authorities' legitimate role of protecting life and property (Genesis 9:5-6; Romans 13:1-7), the eldership of Redeeming Grace Church is:

1. Advising members, attenders, and visitors of the indoor mandate
2. Encouraging compliance with the mandate by members, attenders, and visitors especially when appropriate physical distancing cannot be maintained.
3. Advising that comments about, complaining about, or debating about masks are not be part of any of our meetings.  This is to be especially true of our Sunday gatherings as we mark a rest from our labors, our activism, and our cares to celebrate and delve into our rest in Christ.
4. Furthermore, in the interest of being "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," advising that comments towards, complaints towards, arguments towards others about masks, whether they would be direct statement, indirect comments, or gestures should not to be part of our life as a church.  
5. Stating that positions on masks are not matters of orthodoxy or essential to our theology, piety, and practice.  Such arguments fall under the category of foolish controversies that only breed division and quarrels and are unprofitable (Titus 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:23-25).  Thus, they should be avoided—especially among one another.