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
2024
January
LAST Call for Directory UpdatesPutting Christmas Decorations AwayKnowing Our CallHelp Support One of Our FamiliesAnti-Racist Film Club UpdateA Message from Pastor AlexaMORE Winter Affinity NightsYouth Group Silent AuctionAn Exciting Staff AnnouncementFOWIA Valentine Card SaleUWIF Wants Your HelpThurston County Bus BuddiesAnti-Racist Film Club This MonthGreen Bag Sunday ReturnsWe Want to Hear From YOU
February
Lunch With the PastorValentines Day Party | Kids Night OutWant to See the Rainiers This Summer?LAST Chance to Get Your Valentines CardsGeneral Conference FAQsInterfaith Works Wants YOUR HelpAffinity Night Meal Sign-upsSchool Break Bags For KidsThe Parish Collective ConferenceShelton UMC Anti-Racism Accountability GroupUWIF Timely TopicsRadicle Methodism Bible StudyLet's Scarf Bomb the ChurchFaithful & Inclusive ClassMemorial for Rev. Paul BeemanHousewarming for ShawnnaUWIF Chocolate EggsCalling for CookiesThe UWIF Rummage SaleDo You Need a Washer or Dryer?How You Can Help Madison SchoolAnti-Racist Film Club - March EventsDo You Like Bowling?
March
Tumwater UMC Softball TeamDinner With the PastorUWIF Rummage Sale - This WeekendSome Potentially Helpful Tax InformationLAST Week to Order Fudge EggsHealth Ministry TeamHow to Order Easter FlowersScarf Bombing on HiatusGreen Bag SundayThe FINAL Affinity Night in LentEaster EGG-stravaganzaHoly Week Worship ScheduleEarth Day CelebrationFUMCO Gleaners
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?
Categories
no categories
No Comments