Greetings, Persistently Patient Parishioners:
Pending Session approval, the Re-Emerging Church Task Force is recommending we resume in-person worship beginning in May. Now, before you come running down the aisles all face-naked, howling praise songs at top voice, we need to provide a few caveats, warnings and explanations. In this in-between time, it is important to explain that every schedule is tentative; things could change rapidly and we could be back to an empty Sanctuary again. A few things we’re watching closely are the character of virus mutations and variants as well as the positivity rates and hospitalizations for our area. Opening the church isn’t an off/on switch; it's more like a valve—we’ll start slow and cautious and watch the metrics as we plan from week to week.
We’ll take precautions. Masks will be required and available, distancing monitored, contact tracing information recorded, hand sanitizer provided, entrance and egress directed, and capacities set. Our Sanctuary space attendance will be capped at 50, including ushers and worship leaders. Seating will be spaced to every other pew with six-foot markings encouraging seating at the end of each pew. Monitor your own health, and remain home if you’re feverish or not feeling well. An usher will take your name and check that your contact information is current with the Church Office. We won’t hand out bulletins, and you’ll be invited to hymn-hum rather than open-mouth sing; the Sanctuary Choir is still on leave. Offerings will be received in collection plates at the door; Communion is still postponed.
We also need your help. Not all of our regular usher crew is ready to assist with in-person worship. If you can provide assistance with logistics, please contact the Church Office and let us know.
We’re not doing reservations. If we’re at capacity, some overflow space will be available. If attendance warrants a second service, it will be scheduled. Initially, nursery care will not be provided. We’ll keep you posted regarding Noah’s Ark Preschool, Faith Forest and Cross Trainers. If you’re in a small group and wish to use the building for your gatherings, limited reservations for space may be made with the Church Office.
In the meantime, you are encouraged to get a vaccine when it is available to you. As your pastor, I am in group 1C; availability for me begins today (March 29), so I’ve joined the “hit-refresh” team online. We will not be screening for vaccines, but If you’re hesitant to take the vaccine, I urge you to discuss your apprehensions with a clinician.
Finally, if you choose to avoid gatherings, we’re still together in this. Some form of video worship will be available. Our initial plan is to provide a live-stream of the service, which will be edited and available online throughout the week.
Please remember now, more than ever, that our conditions are temporary. Check our website frequently; we will keep you posted as to our openings and/or closings as we can best discern. As a congregation we are in a community within a larger region and part of the greater world; our actions have impact, so our choices should remain informed.
Hoping someday soon to see your bare-faced singing selves, I remain,
With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor