July 2020 Council Corner
The council dealt with a rather important issue during the June meeting--namely the plan for reopening the church. Listed below you will find the parameters that we devised as a group. The discussion was comprehensive and not always in agreement. I want to remind people that the plan below represents a starting point. I expect that specific aspects of the plan or the plan as a whole will change moving forward based upon continuing discussion, feedback, and the ever-changing world in which we live. Today officially marks the changing of the season. We are not even one-third of the way through our summer. The council plans to meet twice during the next six weeks and more frequently if needed. Nothing is set in stone at this time. We expect and welcome feedback during this time.
The council had to take multiple factors into account. We decided early on during the pandemic to follow the guidelines set forth by the Northeast Minnesota Synod (NEMS) and Bishop Aitken. The synod does not expect 100% compliance from each church within its realm. After all, these are merely guidelines. However, they were designed to ensure a smooth transition back to “normal” services and reduce the liability that each church could face should an outbreak of COVID-19 take place.
The council also had to consider Hope Lutheran’s current status without a sitting pastor. Pulpit supply is at an all-time low not just in our region, but in the state as a whole. In fact, a few of our main people in the pulpit supply are currently going through issues in their lives that make their availability inconsistent at best. We do not want to rely on lay-led services during this crucial time in our existence. This limits what we can do (e.g., Communion) during our services.
Finally, the council had to consider the health and well-being of our congregation. You can look at COVID-19 from many different angles. You can look at people in our region as a whole or as a specific sub-group. You can argue that one group is testing positive for COVID-19 at a higher level than another age group. You can say that one group is more susceptible to the virus than another group. Regardless, the council has to take into account all the members of our church. It is a tremendous weight to bear should something horrible happen to just one of our members. In this light, the council is tracking COVID-19 numbers within St. Louis County and will use this data along with other information to make important decisions that affect our church. Current guidelines state that in-person worship should not take place until 14 days of declining COVID-19 cases have occurred.
I have listed the basic components of our reopening plan below:
If congregation members are not feeling well, please stay home.
Congregation members will enter the church through the main doors on the north and exit the church on the doors located on the east (exceptions made for handicap accessibility).
Upon entering church, congregation members will wash their hands with sanitizer and will have their temperatures taken with a forehead thermometer.
Bulletins will be placed at the end of pews to limit hand-to-hand contact. Instead of recycling bulletins as members leave the church, they will be encouraged to keep their bulletins.
Every other pew will be blocked off in order to encourage social distancing.
Congregation members will sit in family units. No intermingling of family units will be allowed.
Congregations members will have the option of sitting in the basement (speakers available) or in the meeting room just off the sanctuary.
Masks for adults will be required. We are presently looking at the option of purchasing disposable masks for congregations members.
Traditional collection of the offering will not take place. The offering plates (adult & children) will be placed at the entrance and exits of the building.
To limit the potential spread of the virus, songs will be played by the organist, but no singing will take place.
Upon using the microphone at the pulpit, it will be wiped off before use by the next person.
No coffee n’ will take place after services until further notice.
Traditional communion will not take place at this time. We are looking at the possibility of purchasing individually-wrapped communion packets for the congregation.
As of this time, streaming services for those choosing to stay home will be provided through our new Facebook page.
Our target date for reopening services is presently set as September 6, 2020. This date is subject to change. It can be moved forward or backward based upon the ever-changing health environment in our region.
Once again, the plan devised by the council is a working document. It can be modified to fit the changing world before us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a council member to share any type of feedback.
May God grant you peace until we meet again next month…….
In God’s Name,
Lance Kupka
Council President
Hope Lutheran Church of Embarrass