Spring COVID-19 Update
by Pastor Amanda Nicol
The COVID Response Team met over email this past week. The team decided to shift their risk metric to align with the CDC’s new emphasis on the rate of hospitalizations in a community. COVID hospitalizations in Thurston County will be the church’s priority metric going forward; the higher the rate of hospitalizations, the more restrictions may be necessary. Thankfully, even though our county case rate is rising, our hospitalizations are remaining very low, and so the CDC currently classifies our county as low-risk.
Masks: One of our guiding values throughout this pandemic is inclusivity. Our very youngest children still do not have access to a vaccine. The Response Team has decided to continue requiring masks in worship as an act of solidarity with our families with very young children. We will continue to wear masks in worship until there is a vaccine available for children under 5, at which point we will make masks optional (if the county remains low-risk). Small groups (less than twenty people) are currently allowed to unmask when meeting in the church building.
Food: The team discerned that we are not ready yet to return to regular post-worship refreshments or potlucks. Instead we are going to ease back into fellowship with food by allowing refreshments at special events during the summer months. These events will be hosted outdoors until the mask requirement is lifted. The Response Team will reevaluate potlucks and post-worship coffee & cookies in the fall once the new pastoral team is in place.
The COVID Response Team met over email this past week. The team decided to shift their risk metric to align with the CDC’s new emphasis on the rate of hospitalizations in a community. COVID hospitalizations in Thurston County will be the church’s priority metric going forward; the higher the rate of hospitalizations, the more restrictions may be necessary. Thankfully, even though our county case rate is rising, our hospitalizations are remaining very low, and so the CDC currently classifies our county as low-risk.
Masks: One of our guiding values throughout this pandemic is inclusivity. Our very youngest children still do not have access to a vaccine. The Response Team has decided to continue requiring masks in worship as an act of solidarity with our families with very young children. We will continue to wear masks in worship until there is a vaccine available for children under 5, at which point we will make masks optional (if the county remains low-risk). Small groups (less than twenty people) are currently allowed to unmask when meeting in the church building.
Food: The team discerned that we are not ready yet to return to regular post-worship refreshments or potlucks. Instead we are going to ease back into fellowship with food by allowing refreshments at special events during the summer months. These events will be hosted outdoors until the mask requirement is lifted. The Response Team will reevaluate potlucks and post-worship coffee & cookies in the fall once the new pastoral team is in place.
Recent
Archive
2023
January
A Message From the Greater NW JurisdictionRainbow Fellowship GatheringUnited Women in Faith Upcoming EventsWomen's Book Club THIS FridayPhotos for the Church DirectoryA Message From Our New BishopAffinity Nights Are Almost Here!An Update From Our OPOP TeamOur New Choir: Common GroundChanges in Green Food Bag CollectionLent at Home Worship BoxesValentine & Greeting Card SaleA Lenten Study with Pastor Heather
February
March
Order Your Chocolate Easter Eggs from the UWIFA Notice for Parents, Guardians, and CaregiversOur New Logo!Attention FUMCO Gleaners!Caregivers Support GroupSupport Our Youth's Confirmation JourneyPhotos for the Church Directory - LAST CHANCESign Up for the Easter VigilCollege Care PackagesWant to be a Childcare Worker?How to Order Easter FlowersGreenbag Sunday is Here Again!Trustees Spring Work PartyAffinity Nights Are Coming BackAnti-Racist Film Club UpdateFriendship Hikers Upcoming DatesA Refugee Ministry OpportunityAffinity Nights - LGBTQ Inclusion ClassHelp Us End Gun ViolenceAre You Ready For Holy Week?
2022
May
June
July
August
Meal TeamGod is With Us | A Message From Pastor HeatherCome Meet the Pastors!NEW Anti-Racist Film Club Meetings!Blended Worship as Anti-Racist Practice | A Message From Pastor AlexaWe Are Hiring!Welcome Back Choir SingersMadison School Fundraiser UpdateA Message From Angi SwanJoin the Women's Book Club
September
To Mask or Not to Mask?A Message From Pastor AlexaRinging Out the Good News!Michael Needs Our HelpHymnals for HomeUpdate from the Refugee Support TeamGet Connect at the Celebration of Ministries!An Exciting Quixote Event!Want an Article in the Courier?Health Ministry: CaregivingCelebration of Ministries is Almost HereMicro-house ConstructionBlessing of the AnimalsUWIF Save the DatesCards to Benefit Safe PlaceRefugee Ministries UpdateOctober is Clergy Appreciation MonthFall Festival is Coming Back!COVID Protocol Update: October 2022
Categories
no categories
No Comments