December 2020
Council Corner
The council met for the first time with Pastor Birk during the month of November. It was very nice to hold a meeting with a pastor present after spending the last fourteen months going it alone. Welcome aboard, Pastor Birk!
The main topic of discussion centered around the rising COVID-19 numbers in our area. The question surfaced regarding whether to close down for a few weeks to see if the numbers would subside or stay open with our current plan in place. In the end, the council decided to stay open with our present plan in place and actually made a few tweaks (mentioned below). Members felt that we have done a great job of following our guidelines and should continue to follow this strict path. In his latest executive order dated November 19, 2020, the governor highlighted the importance of faith-based institutions in the lives of Minnesotans and encouraged us to continue with these meetings as long as the proper protocols were followed.
That being said, I encourage all members of Hope Lutheran to display an acceptance of all different viewpoints when it comes to COVID-19. We, without a doubt, serve an aging congregation that the medical community notes is more susceptible to this virus. Even some of our younger congregants also have some rather significant health issues that place them in the high-risk category. Please be accepting of them if they choose not to attend. They make these decisions out of the best interests for their respective families. We need to be more understanding than ever during these times.
The council also talked about necessary guidelines for the closing and opening of our church during the time of COVID-19. To whose numbers and whose opinions should we adhere? In the end, we decided to follow the protocols put forth by our governor and our bishop. Members thought that it would be rather nefarious to devise some random numbers that our church could use as guidelines. Regardless, our church still needs to monitor the ever-changing impact that COVID-19 has on our communities.
Back-up plans for our church employees and some basic employee policies were finalized just in case our workers are not able to perform their duties due to COVID-19 or the church is shut down for any period of time. In the case of no music, one person from the congregation will speak the words of the songs. In the case of no custodial person, Stan Dow, Jr., will serve as the substitute with Bill Krueth waiting patiently behind him if needed. In the case of our administrative assistant, arrangements have been made with Babbitt to cover for any extended periods of absence. The council also made the decision to pay all employees as long as our finances permitted us to do so in the event of a church shutdown.
Finally, the church council discussed our plans for x-mas services. Given our current world situation, the traditional services simply will not work. Too many unknown variables exist. We looked at a variety of ideas including a parking lot service, a radio service, and even the possibility of taking reservations for families to attend. Nothing was decided at this time. The council will make a firm decision during its December 6 meeting. Members are going to research some different ways to conduct services and talk to members of other churches before any decisions are made. The only sure information that we can report to you is that the service will take place @ 4:30 p.m. on December 24.
In closing, I would like to thank all of our members who graciously agreed to serve as our snowplow crew for the winter of 2020-21. With the prices charged by the county increasing by large amounts each year, this definitely saves us a great deal of money. Thank you once again for everyone who placed their names on the list.
May God grant you peace until we meet again next month…….
In God’s Name,
Lance Kupka
Council President
Hope Lutheran Church of Embarrass