COVID Protocol Update: October 2022
Greetings Friends,
It is a joy to write this first COVID update as your new pastor. I know that many of you will receive the changes outlined below with glad hearts. I know for others, these new policies will bring some stress and worry. Please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to be in conversation with you to see how we can help you feel safer.
The resilience of this congregation during the pandemic is amazing. You have supported each other, innovated, protected the most vulnerable, continued outreach and service to the community, weathered a staff turnover while still dealing with the pandemic, and more. I am so proud to be serving THIS congregation. I trust that the changes we are implementing will continue leading us into a faithful future.
As many of you are aware, the COVID Task Force has been considering a change in our masking policy. Thank you to all who offered input on our masking policy going forward. The majority of people who responded to our inquiries (over 95%) and the majority of the COVID Task Force believe it is time to make masking encouraged but not required at all FUMCO events. Understanding that we do have vulnerable people in our congregation, or people who live with immunocompromised people, we are making the following changes to the policy. These changes rely on the CDC Risk Level Assessments as reported through the COVID Act Now Website: https://covidactnow.org/us/washington-wa/county/thurston_county/?s=40162764
We understand that many people are not comfortable in masks and find it difficult to breathe, hear, or speak while masked. We also acknowledge that masks make it more difficult for people to connect to each other. We also recognize that some people continue to be vulnerable for one reason or another. Therefore masks will be optional but we will respect people who continue to mask and will practice social distancing with those people as appropriate.
Please note: While Coffee Hour will be allowed again, we can only resume this much loved offering if we have people willing to bake (or provide store bought goods) and host. If you are interested in either of these important ministries please email the office at: fumco@fumcoly.org
Thank you for your continued support of FUMCO’s COVID policies. God has been with us throughout the pandemic and will continue to give us a future with hope!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Heather
It is a joy to write this first COVID update as your new pastor. I know that many of you will receive the changes outlined below with glad hearts. I know for others, these new policies will bring some stress and worry. Please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to be in conversation with you to see how we can help you feel safer.
The resilience of this congregation during the pandemic is amazing. You have supported each other, innovated, protected the most vulnerable, continued outreach and service to the community, weathered a staff turnover while still dealing with the pandemic, and more. I am so proud to be serving THIS congregation. I trust that the changes we are implementing will continue leading us into a faithful future.
As many of you are aware, the COVID Task Force has been considering a change in our masking policy. Thank you to all who offered input on our masking policy going forward. The majority of people who responded to our inquiries (over 95%) and the majority of the COVID Task Force believe it is time to make masking encouraged but not required at all FUMCO events. Understanding that we do have vulnerable people in our congregation, or people who live with immunocompromised people, we are making the following changes to the policy. These changes rely on the CDC Risk Level Assessments as reported through the COVID Act Now Website: https://covidactnow.org/us/washington-wa/county/thurston_county/?s=40162764
- Masks will be encouraged but not required when our risk level as a county is low. (Green)
We understand that many people are not comfortable in masks and find it difficult to breathe, hear, or speak while masked. We also acknowledge that masks make it more difficult for people to connect to each other. We also recognize that some people continue to be vulnerable for one reason or another. Therefore masks will be optional but we will respect people who continue to mask and will practice social distancing with those people as appropriate.
- Masks will be encouraged for everyone and required for song leaders and choirs when our risk level as a county is medium. (Yellow) In recognition of the higher rate of transmission during singing, we will ask those who are leading songs or singing in a choir to mask. We encourage everyone to mask during singing but respect people’s individual choice when the risk level is medium.
- Masks will be required when the risk level is high. (Red) We want to protect those who are most vulnerable among us and so we will ask that people wear masks to worship when the risk level is high. As soon as the risk level drops to yellow or green, the mask requirement will be dropped.
- Masks will be required if either the CDC, the Governor, or the County Health Officer recommend this.
- Food will be allowed in the building again! We heard from you at our Meet and Greet events that you want the ability to share fellowship with each other through eating. After over two years of not having Coffee Hour or other food related gatherings they will be allowed again. Even if we are at the High Risk Level we will continue to allow food and encourage people to only remove their masks while they are eating or drinking and to put them on again as soon as they finish eating.
Please note: While Coffee Hour will be allowed again, we can only resume this much loved offering if we have people willing to bake (or provide store bought goods) and host. If you are interested in either of these important ministries please email the office at: fumco@fumcoly.org
Thank you for your continued support of FUMCO’s COVID policies. God has been with us throughout the pandemic and will continue to give us a future with hope!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Heather
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
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
October
How to Avoid Email Scams | A Message From Pastor HeatherFOWIA Other Bank DriveGreen Bag Saturday ResultsWonderings: What is the LEAF Fund and How Does It Work?Reserve Your Christmas WreathOur NEXT worship Series: Tender MercyCome to the Co-op Laity Gathering!A UWIF Volunteer OpportunityAffinity Group Update!New Member Lunch AnnouncementA Message From Pastor Heather
November
Young Adult Care PackagesNew Hospitality Team TrainingOther Bank Update!A Message from Pastor AlexaWe Need YOUR PhotosCharge Conference Business MeetingWishing Angelina "See You Soon"We Have a New Bishop!Last Week to Send in Your PhotosPledge Sunday ReminderOlympia Youth Chorus ConcertA Message from Pastor Heather
Categories
no categories
No Comments