Way back when we were able to worship together, in-person and in the sanctuary (it seems like that was ages ago,) you might remember the antics of interrupting the worship service announcements with signs saying “It’s Coming” and “Stay Tuned”. Back then we were introducing the now suspended capital campaign, 100% for 100 Years, in conjunction with St. Luke’s 100th Anniversary. Well I can happily proclaim…
IT’S COMING – LIVE, IN-PERSON WORSHIP!!!
The Executive Committee has been actively meeting and discussing ways in which we can once again worship together and begin “opening-up” the church building. Council president Larry Nelson assembled a task force made up of council members and staff to figure out how we can safely begin to open-up and how we, as a congregation, can once again safely resume on-site worshiping together.
We plan to have our first worship together before the end of June!
The first step will be to gather on-site, in-person for outdoor worship. We envision a drive-in theater type arrangement where one can remain in their car, watching the worship leaders, listening to worship via the car’s radio, and singing along with the music. The ability to sit outside, next to the car, and remain safely distanced from others will be possible. A special area will be reserved for those who walk or bike to worship.
Necessary equipment has been ordered and the design and implementation of staging and production is underway.
Pre-recorded online worship will continue to be offered even as the live, outdoor worship occurs. The plans are to have the existing online worship available Sunday mornings at 8:30am and the “drive-in” outdoor worship experience beginning at 10:00am. This follows the same schedule we enjoyed prior to the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
The second step in opening up is to establish a Coronavirus protection program. This personal safety protocol is being drafted and needs to be implemented before we can gather in-person and indoors. This plan is well underway and will be in place prior to the building being opened up.
In-Sanctuary worship will occur!
With the protection program in place, sanctuary worship services will also be able to begin. Government guidelines restrict gathering to 25% of maximum capacity. Our sanctuary is being “mapped” to figure out maximum occupancy while respecting physical distancing recommendations. Safety concerns for those who gather is more important than achieving some set number. Anticipate indoor worship to begin later this summer.
Online worship will continue!
The online worship option has been well received and appreciated as a way to connect with members who, for whatever reason, are unable to worship in person. So, as we start to worship in person, our goal is to continue this option through a live stream of a service(s) through existing social media web sites.
Your church council and elected leadership team wants to be able to resume live, in-person, on-site worship, but we also have a responsibility to protect each other during this difficult time. We are actively moving forward but will not risk your health and safety to do so. We acknowledge that we are experimenting and working with a rapidly changing set of rules and guidelines. We also recognize that each of us has some varying level of comfort with anything we do or chose not to do.
The most important consideration is We Are Family! Please let us know if there is any way we can be supporting one another.
Please reach out to your leadership team with any questions, comments or concerns. Contact the church office at (952) 881-5801 or office@stlukesbloomington.org for phone numbers, email addresses or more information.
Yours in Service,
Paul Klein – Church Council, President-Elect
IT’S COMING – LIVE, IN-PERSON WORSHIP!!!
The Executive Committee has been actively meeting and discussing ways in which we can once again worship together and begin “opening-up” the church building. Council president Larry Nelson assembled a task force made up of council members and staff to figure out how we can safely begin to open-up and how we, as a congregation, can once again safely resume on-site worshiping together.
We plan to have our first worship together before the end of June!
The first step will be to gather on-site, in-person for outdoor worship. We envision a drive-in theater type arrangement where one can remain in their car, watching the worship leaders, listening to worship via the car’s radio, and singing along with the music. The ability to sit outside, next to the car, and remain safely distanced from others will be possible. A special area will be reserved for those who walk or bike to worship.
Necessary equipment has been ordered and the design and implementation of staging and production is underway.
Pre-recorded online worship will continue to be offered even as the live, outdoor worship occurs. The plans are to have the existing online worship available Sunday mornings at 8:30am and the “drive-in” outdoor worship experience beginning at 10:00am. This follows the same schedule we enjoyed prior to the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
The second step in opening up is to establish a Coronavirus protection program. This personal safety protocol is being drafted and needs to be implemented before we can gather in-person and indoors. This plan is well underway and will be in place prior to the building being opened up.
In-Sanctuary worship will occur!
With the protection program in place, sanctuary worship services will also be able to begin. Government guidelines restrict gathering to 25% of maximum capacity. Our sanctuary is being “mapped” to figure out maximum occupancy while respecting physical distancing recommendations. Safety concerns for those who gather is more important than achieving some set number. Anticipate indoor worship to begin later this summer.
Online worship will continue!
The online worship option has been well received and appreciated as a way to connect with members who, for whatever reason, are unable to worship in person. So, as we start to worship in person, our goal is to continue this option through a live stream of a service(s) through existing social media web sites.
Your church council and elected leadership team wants to be able to resume live, in-person, on-site worship, but we also have a responsibility to protect each other during this difficult time. We are actively moving forward but will not risk your health and safety to do so. We acknowledge that we are experimenting and working with a rapidly changing set of rules and guidelines. We also recognize that each of us has some varying level of comfort with anything we do or chose not to do.
The most important consideration is We Are Family! Please let us know if there is any way we can be supporting one another.
Please reach out to your leadership team with any questions, comments or concerns. Contact the church office at (952) 881-5801 or office@stlukesbloomington.org for phone numbers, email addresses or more information.
Yours in Service,
Paul Klein – Church Council, President-Elect