Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: [May 17, 2021]

Here is what the COVID Reopening team talked about at the May 17 meeting:

1. Changes/updates to services based on learnings from services:

2. Pew seating

3. We value the positive impact masking, social distancing, hygiene and staying home if ill has made

4. Based on this, we will stay with the old configuration of every other pew available for seating to allow for distancing, singing and adjusting to changing guidelines

5. We need to continue to remind everyone through Pastor’s message, usher comments and email/bulletin/newsletter that it is OK to move seats if you are not comfortable. This includes the freedom to continue to wear masks in addition to social distancing. You have accountability for yourself to do what is comfortable for you/your family

6. Seating in Fellowship Hall will continue to be an option based on personal preferences

7. It will be the usher’s discretion – combined with that of individual worshippers – on how to seat in Chapel

8. Usher escorts

9. We need to continue to announce during service that ushers will be escorting the congregation out after service

10. BYOC&C (Bring Your Own Coffee & Chairs)

11. This worked for a small group and will continue until the full coffee service when Congregational Life can host

12. Medical team update on any new information/best practices/recommendations from MDH/CDC

13. When it comes to the safety of the congregation – we continue to value the guidelines being offered by the CDC and more specifically the MN department of Health’s StaySafe Minnesota recommendations

14. We believe a relaxation of guidelines represents some degree of risk for those who choose not to add additional layers of protection such as vaccination

15. That said, we value personal accountability for congregation members to make their own decisions about what is right for them and their families

16. Staff should continue to follow the CDC/MDH guidelines

17. There are no new recommendations to ministries, staff or Executive Council

18. Property Updates on HVAC/Ventilation

19. Waiting for additional quotes and bids

20. Confirmation and SS support

21. Mission trip preparation

22. Still a go; waiting for Youth Works to share any updated information

23. VBS still in planning

24. Re-opening Matrix Discussion:

25. Adding a Wednesday Service through August

26. This will be streamed

27. Outdoor once a month service and some Wednesdays

28. Coffee social reopening in June!

29. We need a process for treats:

30. Snacks will be distributed from a service station similar to the Pancake Breakfast. Someone will ensure we use napkins to pick up items.

31. Individually wrapped items are not environmentally friendly

32. Buy store bought donuts/baked goods at Cub - open order for church. Station monitored by a monitored

33. Coffee will also be available from a service station poured directly into cups instead of carafes on the table (like the pancake breakfast)

34. Joe can share some notes from pancake breakfast

35. We will plan for coffee outside as much as possible, but account for Inside as necessary;

36. We will have tables outside AND inside to account for all tastes, but we will watch for usage and monitor feedback

37. Lucy and Julie and team to work out the details and share for awareness

38. Open Forum

39. Vaccinated/Unvaccinated language

40. While we used language from the MDH that points out the dual tracks of safety and welfare specific to vaccinated and unvaccinated guidelines, it is not our intention to police, restrict, judge or otherwise categorize the members or their decisions on how to show up going forward under the new recommendations.

41. We will not police whether or not anyone is vaccinated; it is the honor system

42. We will continue to record services for streaming and play- back for remote viewing

43. We will continue to monitor feedback from the many moving parts of this pandemic, and some of these parts that were set in motion with not a lot of advance notice to allow us to fully think through everything for last Sunday.

44. State of the Church Address (target May 23) to include a report out on the COVID/reopening plans.

45. Cascading Message

46. Share these notes with ministries, staff, volunteers and congregation

Thank you to tonight’s attendees: Pastor Jon, Joe, Lonna, Sharon, Lucy, Joan, Bill, and special guest Jane Ward!