Friends,
I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I know this pandemic has put many people under considerable risk and stress. I first want to say our thanks to everyone in the medical community, police and fire fighters, social services and other essential services who have put themselves at risk to keep all of us safe. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
I also want to thank everyone for tuning into online worship and support our family of faith through these unusual times. We are so glad that this has been a blessing to so many.
With Governor Holcomb's plan permitting in-person worship to begin May 8th, many folks have reached out to ask for our plans, so I want to take this time to let you know what plans are in place at this time.
Nancy Christmas, our president of consistory; Tim Strueh, our vice-president; Scott Bechtel, chair of deacons; Don Partlow, chair of trustees; and Paul House, Treasurer have offered their input to this 3 stage plan that takes into account Gov. Holcomb's "Back on Track" along with the "Back on Track" for Houses of Worship and the CDC's Guidelines for Houses of Worship.
We are not beginning in-person worship this weekend even though it is permitted but not recommended in Governor Holcomb's plan. I do appreciate that his team believes Houses of Faith would be among the most caring and responsible in the community. Instead, we are looking at resuming in-person worship May 31, depending on the current scenario in our community and while practicing recommended social distancing guidelines. We are also encouraging anyone who is at risk to worship online as well as many folks who simply feel more comfortable worshipping online in the present circumstances. The start date may be pushed back depending on circumstances, but we will not start sooner out of an abundance of caution. We will not be offering Fellowship Activities until at least stage 2, and not be offering Sunday School or Adult Ed until at least stage 3 because we feel it is an added risk for folks to be in a smaller space, many of whom are at risk.
We are blessed with a large sanctuary as well as an open Gathering Space that allows for social distancing and our community has not seen the level of illness as places such as Marion County, Lake County or the present situation in Cass County. Would the level of risk change, then the plan dates would be pushed back.
Please look at the more detailed 3 stage plan below.
You are all in my prayers and as we continue to navigate these unusual times.
Blessings --Pastor TJ
Socially Distanced and Socially Responsible Reopening Plan for
Immanuel United Church of Christ
Theological Principles:
Guidance
IUCC Stages & Guidelines
*Online Worship will continue permanently even after we gather for in-person worship
Note: Governor Holcomb’s plan allows people to worship responsibly beginning May 8, but we recommend waiting 1 week after Stage 3 of “Back on Track” (May 24) until MAY 31 unless there is a significant change.
We are blessed with a large sanctuary as well as a large entrance area and Gathering Space which allows people to practice social distancing.
Stage 1 May 31 (Stage 3 of Gov Holcomb’s Guidelines (May 24th but will begin 1 week later) When allowed to meet in groups 100 and under and lessening restrictions for those 65 & older:
Stage 2 June 14 (Stage 4 Indiana “Back on Track”) When allowed to meet in groups 250 & under
Stage 3 July 4 and following (Indiana Stage 4.5/5 of “Back on Track”)
We continue to use Operational Risk Management (ORM) Principles in looking at above stages:
I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I know this pandemic has put many people under considerable risk and stress. I first want to say our thanks to everyone in the medical community, police and fire fighters, social services and other essential services who have put themselves at risk to keep all of us safe. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
I also want to thank everyone for tuning into online worship and support our family of faith through these unusual times. We are so glad that this has been a blessing to so many.
With Governor Holcomb's plan permitting in-person worship to begin May 8th, many folks have reached out to ask for our plans, so I want to take this time to let you know what plans are in place at this time.
Nancy Christmas, our president of consistory; Tim Strueh, our vice-president; Scott Bechtel, chair of deacons; Don Partlow, chair of trustees; and Paul House, Treasurer have offered their input to this 3 stage plan that takes into account Gov. Holcomb's "Back on Track" along with the "Back on Track" for Houses of Worship and the CDC's Guidelines for Houses of Worship.
We are not beginning in-person worship this weekend even though it is permitted but not recommended in Governor Holcomb's plan. I do appreciate that his team believes Houses of Faith would be among the most caring and responsible in the community. Instead, we are looking at resuming in-person worship May 31, depending on the current scenario in our community and while practicing recommended social distancing guidelines. We are also encouraging anyone who is at risk to worship online as well as many folks who simply feel more comfortable worshipping online in the present circumstances. The start date may be pushed back depending on circumstances, but we will not start sooner out of an abundance of caution. We will not be offering Fellowship Activities until at least stage 2, and not be offering Sunday School or Adult Ed until at least stage 3 because we feel it is an added risk for folks to be in a smaller space, many of whom are at risk.
We are blessed with a large sanctuary as well as an open Gathering Space that allows for social distancing and our community has not seen the level of illness as places such as Marion County, Lake County or the present situation in Cass County. Would the level of risk change, then the plan dates would be pushed back.
Please look at the more detailed 3 stage plan below.
You are all in my prayers and as we continue to navigate these unusual times.
Blessings --Pastor TJ
Socially Distanced and Socially Responsible Reopening Plan for
Immanuel United Church of Christ
Theological Principles:
- Great Command-Love God and “love neighbor as yourself” Matt. 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28
- Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
- Submitting to Authority-Romans 13:1-7: Submit to government and those in authority
Guidance
- Gov Holcomb Stages & guidelines including Houses of Worship
- CDC Guidelines for Worship
IUCC Stages & Guidelines
*Online Worship will continue permanently even after we gather for in-person worship
Note: Governor Holcomb’s plan allows people to worship responsibly beginning May 8, but we recommend waiting 1 week after Stage 3 of “Back on Track” (May 24) until MAY 31 unless there is a significant change.
We are blessed with a large sanctuary as well as a large entrance area and Gathering Space which allows people to practice social distancing.
Stage 1 May 31 (Stage 3 of Gov Holcomb’s Guidelines (May 24th but will begin 1 week later) When allowed to meet in groups 100 and under and lessening restrictions for those 65 & older:
- Both worship services will be at standard times (less than 100 in attendance at each)
- Encourage at-risk people to stay home and attend online (online will continue indefinitely)
- Prior to worship, sanctuary and Gathering Space will be disinfected using detailed checklist with increased cleaning protocols for door handles and surfaces
- Use handicapped button to open doors for people coming into the main entrance
- We will encourage people with signs in Gathering Space to practicing social distancing-no handshakes or hugs; maintain 6-foot distance (except for families sitting together)
- Fans will be turned off during service to minimize airflow between people
- We will have people sit in every other pew by color coding pews with painter’s tape and alternating which pews to use for contemporary & traditional services
- We are strongly encouraging people to please wear facemasks (sport a faith logo if you like)
- Leave main doors open at beginning and end of service so no one has to touch door handles
- No Sunday School for adults or youth until July (Sunday School risks – higher risk adults in closed spaces) (youth may get craft kit to take home)
- No Choir until fall due to higher risk individuals and singing
- No passing the offering plate; we will use offering plate in aisle
- No bulletins-all lyrics will be on PowerPoint for both worship services
- We will remove hymnals, Bibles and pew pads from pews
- Use of name tags will be suspended with name tags covered or removed from Gathering Space
- No liturgist other than the pastor to help with social distancing and so no one feels pressured to attend
- Children will not come forward for the Children’s Message (or keep 6 feet apart in front)
- Pastor TJ will not greet people in the sanctuary following worship, but will be in the Gathering Space
- We are encouraging people to keep flow going in aisles while practicing social distancing
- No Holy Communion in June/July. (Later: bread cut with gloved hands; consider looking at pre-packed wafers or elders could walk down every other aisle for traditional service, so people don’t have to pass communion trays)
- No fellowship activities through at least June 14
- VBS moved to July (Sports Camp is already scheduled for July)
Stage 2 June 14 (Stage 4 Indiana “Back on Track”) When allowed to meet in groups 250 & under
- Continue with above measures but consider adding some fellowship activities
- Consider adding youth activities that would allow for social distancing
- Continue practicing social distancing-no handshakes or hugs; 6-foot rule
- Continue not passing offering plate; use offering plate in aisle; no bulletin & no liturgist
- Continue to encourage people to wear masks
Stage 3 July 4 and following (Indiana Stage 4.5/5 of “Back on Track”)
- Start with vision for "new normal" which is currently including distancing with alternating row seating, wearing masks, and no bulletins or hymnals
- Also currently have no handshakes or hugs
- Online Worship will continue permanently so that options continues
- Adult Ed and Sunday School will tentatively start on Rally Sunday SEP 13 except for Adult Ed Zoom classes which can start any time.
- VBS & Sports Camp with Social Distancing
- Holy Communion offered through prepackaged cups & wafers
- Consider Having a Homecoming Picnic sometime
- Revisit measures taken in Stage 1 to see what needs to continue and what measures might be relaxed depending on current scenario
We continue to use Operational Risk Management (ORM) Principles in looking at above stages:
- Analyze-look and total operational risk at all levels
- Identify-look at each of the components of risk
- Evaluate-assess risk/reward for each component and total
- Mitigate-implement measures to reduce risk by eliminating and/or minimizing
- Monitor-continue to check effectiveness of practices and measures
