On Sunday it will have been 366 days since Minnesota started following Covid Protocols. I believe we are just a few months away from returning to what we would consider “normal” pre-pandemic church life. With being so close, we need to be even more diligent and to not relax, causing a setback.
Most covid transmissions happen within your areas of comfort: home, family, friends, favorite restaurant and church. Research concludes that there is a comfort zone associated with the people and places you love. Many become lazy in practicing safe distancing behaviors because they feel like they know the people and places so well. People often also fail to wear their masks when they enter, especially if they are only going into the building for a short time, and use this as justification.
Soon and Very Soon we will be able to return to a more “normal” church life experience. It was so nice to see the Women’s Bible Study gathered in the Fire Side Room, socially distanced and masked, plus all had or would be receiving their vaccination this week. Soon and Very Soon.
Note we will continue to live stream worship. There have been concerns that if we keep live streaming people won’t return. There have been concerns that if we stop live streaming people who are out of town, busy, or can’t get out of their pajamas, won’t be able to enjoy worship. Worship whenever and wherever is the best solution.
Thank you to all the members who have helped lead worship whether it was recorded, drive-in, live-streamed, and now in person socially distanced. A special thanks to our new camera crew. If you are interested in joining this team please contact Congregational President Paul Klein, Lead Camera Operator or contact the church office. Training is provided.
We have returned to our Sunday 8:30 AM, organ and hymn led worship, followed by our 10 AM, praise music worship. The sanctuary is being sanitized between the two worships. All in attendance will continue to be masked, including those leading worship. We will continue to use recorded music. Remember we are almost home!
Wednesday Lent Worship is at 11 AM in person and live streamed, followed by a bag lunch which you can enjoy socially distanced in Fellowship Hall or take back to work or home. Holden Evening Prayer is at 7 PM and will only be online so we can safely sing unmasked out loud at home.
For Easter we will have in person and live stream worship at 8 AM, 9:30 AM, and 10:45 AM. There will be a registration coming out in the weeks ahead so we are prepared for all who want to attend. Fellowship Hall will be set up for overflow.
This has been a long time – our wilderness experience. Thankfully it will not last 40 Years.
Thank you for your continued understanding and ongoing patience.
We welcome all questions, comments, suggestions, concerns, and prayers
Your Brothers in Christ,
Al Buss, Member at Large Council Representative and Covid Taskforce Chair
and Rob Norris-Weber, Pastor
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