Update from the Task Force

It’s been a challenging few months for church worship, moving to a completely online format. Each week, we gain experience, improve techniques and overcome obstacles. We’re so grateful for your feedback and support during this time. Soon we’ll face new challenges as we    pivot once more, looking forward to the day when we resume in-person gatherings. Our task force is working hard to prepare the church      building and the church body for this day. We will soon survey the    congregation via email and phone, to help us gauge the readiness of our members. Please respond to the survey, we want to know your thoughts! Once we’ve established a sufficient level of interest, prepared the    building, and trained the worship team, we’ll set a date to resume          in-person worship. Detailed communications will then be provided on what to expect should you choose to begin in-person worship again. While we’re anxious to meet again, there’s much to do, and we’re still several weeks away from being ready.

Like many others, we plan to re-open the building in gradual phases. The first stage will have the most stringent set up, being easier to      manage a small group of people moving through limited areas. Things to expect during Phase 1:

· The building will be open for 1 worship service, on Sundays at 10am in the sanctuary. We do not plan to have live singing during this phase. Holy Communion will continue monthly, depending on availability of prepackaged, individual communion kits. We remain committed to live streaming the service and encourage most members to continue participating in online worship.

· In-person worship will be limited to 50 attendees, plus worship leaders and assistants. There will be no nursery available, and children must remain with an adult at all times.

· Small groups will continue to meet remotely. Generally, only church staff, worship teams, and cleaning crews will be in the building otherwise. Exceptions for groups under 10 are possible if council approves their plan to use the building facilities in a way that follows required safety protocols.

· Most of the building will be closed off on Sunday mornings, limited to 2 entrances (front and main side doors), with clear access leading only to the sanctuary and the restrooms next to the solarium.

· Extra levels of cleaning will be performed, particularly on frequently touched surfaces.

· Required individual safety protocols will include temperature and symptom checks before you enter the building, as well as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

There are many more details planned for implementing Phase 1. Please contact me if you’d like a copy of the full proposal. We understand at times these steps will feel overly restrictive to some, too loose to others, and generally odd to everyone. We ask for your grace and patience as we navigate territories that are new to all of us. Phase 1 is based on guidelines from multiple sources given during April-May; some         specifics may be revisited if situations and guidelines change in the coming weeks.  Realizing we can’t eliminate all risk, we want our church life to get back to “normal” as soon as possible, in the safest manner possible. Christ taught us the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We strive to keep those commandments always, in all we do, whether we continue gathering online or as we begin meeting in person. We can trust He is with us wherever we find ourselves.

I give thanks to our Lord for those serving with me on this task force—Pastor Bimen, Pastor Elisa, Roger Kissling, Becky Miller, Mike Trautman, Tracy Richardson, Dale Breitenstein, and Liz Walker. Their work, prayers, and thoughtful discussions are a testament to the love they share for our church family. Feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns. Please keep this group and all our members in your prayers, that we may stay safe, care for one another, and be guided always by a spirit of humility and wisdom. Until we meet again, peace be with you!

Your servant in Christ,