UPDATED Face Covering/Mask Policy at SPLC - June 18, 2021
Dear Friends and Members of Saint Paul Lutheran,
It seems wherever we go in recent days, there is confusion about whether or not facial coverings and other COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. There are so many new official announcements - weekly, if not daily! I find myself always carrying my mask with me, just in case. It's true at our church now, too. Whether for a small group meeting or for indoor worship, people are wondering/asking, "Do I still need to wear my mask?"
Throughout the pandemic our SPLC COVID-19 Response Team has been good about communicating the expectations surrounding any and all COVID-19 restrictions for our immediate community of faith. So again, in order to eliminate confusion, and provide clarity, our COVID-19 Response Team met via email last Monday and decided the following:
Beginning Sunday, July 11
This decision, we have found, is consistent with many other local and area congregations.
Again, thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we head towards the home stretch of this pandemic.
Pastor Dale
COVID -19 Re-Opening Update from Pastor Dale - May 25, 2021
Dear Members and Friends of Saint Paul Lutheran,
For nearly eighteen months, we’ve been working together to navigate a global pandemic in a way that keeps our members connected, strengthens our faith at a time when our faith has never been more important, and do our part to keep our members, staff, and community safe. It has not always been easy. Yet we persevered, committed to keeping our Lord’s command to love our neighbors. Thank you, for your efforts in this.
Our COVID Response Team announced back on March 9 that we would be resuming indoor worship on Sunday, May 30. That day is this coming Sunday, and we are excited!
However, in light of the various press releases of late – including two from the Governor and one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – I am writing, on behalf of the COVID Response Team, regarding three updated decisions made at our most recent meeting on Thursday, May 13.
As always, thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to consult with health/medical professionals and look for further guidance from our elected officials in order to move forward with confidence. While there is still some uncertainty about when all aspects of our life will return to normal, I want to underscore strongly just how much forward movement we have experienced in the last few weeks. We are at a point when there is not only light at the end of the tunnel, but it is growing brighter each day and week. I am thankful for the progress we have made thus far, look forward to that continuing across the summer, and am eager to resume so many of our cherished practices and traditions this fall.
Please feel free to contact any member of the SPLC COVID Response Team (Joanna Kroschel, Jerry Nelson, Katie Fetterly, Arlie Post, Dave Haselbauer) or me, for any necessary clarification or explanation.
We are getting through this, Saint Paul Lutheran. We are getting through it together and, by God’s grace, coming out stronger on the other side.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dale
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COVID -19 UPDATE from Church Council - April 23, 2021
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you from the Church Council!
I am happy to announce again, and remind you of, the re-opening of indoor worship services at Saint Paul Lutheran Church beginning on Sunday, May 30th. We will also be officially opening our building again on Monday, May 3rd.
As part of this greeting you will find links below to three letters regarding the re-opening of the church building and sanctuary.
The first link is to a letter from Pastor Dale welcoming us back into the Church sanctuary beginning May 30th along with a list, and explanation of, expectations for church services moving forward.
The second link is to a letter from our COVID Response Team, with updates of expectations and happenings at the church along with some volunteer opportunities we hope you will consider engaging in, or re-engaging in.
The last link is to a letter outlining an upcoming 5 week preaching series entitled, “Sharing Christ’s Love”, based on our church mission statement, that will begin on Sunday, May 30. Please join us on Sundays in May and June to hear and share the word of God.
It has been over a year since we last worshipped inside of our sanctuary and the wait has been, at times, difficult. I want to thank everyone for their patience, kindness, and support of our mission during this past year. Let us all take the time to appreciate the blessings we encounter as we move back into “normal” life.
With God’s help, I believe there are great things about to happen at St. Paul Lutheran. I can’t wait to see you back in church!
Tyler Kroschel
Church Council President
(On behalf of the rest of the Council: Pastor Dale Stiles; Andy Stoyke, Vice President; Pat Clearence, Secretary; Chris Timmons, Treasurer; and members at-large Jaime Fraley, Dale Brainard, Chris Clark, Karen Rozeske, and Zella Oswald.)
Click on the Links Below to View the Letters
Pastor Dale's Welcome Back Letter
COVID Response Team Letter
"Sharing Christ's Love" Preaching Series Introductory Letter
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COVID-19 Response Team - UPDATE - March 9, 2021
Dear Friends and Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Our COVID Response Team met on Monday, March 8, and discussed what needs to happen for us to get back to in-person, indoor worship. We are keeping an eye on the potential spike in cases from the variant new strains as well as the on-going vaccine rollout. Currently, it was decided the target date to be back in the building for in-person worship is Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 30.
This is provided that any new viral variant spikes that might occur recede and the vaccine availability continues the course that it is on. Our Parish Nurses are currently contacting congregation members over the age of 65 to aid in navigating the vaccine system. They estimate at the present time, 70% are vaccinated or will be in the near future, which is encouraging! We are grateful for this. If you are wanting to get a vaccine and need help figuring out how to do so, please contact one of our parish nurses.
In order to go forward with the May 30 date a few things need to happen:
The current plan will be to alternate indoor/outdoor worship as we have in past summers, starting Memorial Day weekend. Regardless of indoor or outdoor, the worship service will continue to be broadcast online via our Church Facebook page.
In the meantime, the COVID Response Team will be meeting regularly to plan the logistics of resuming indoor worship. We are considering numerous options including, but not limited to, ushering in/out of service, pre-registration, limited sanctuary seating, shorter indoor worship, and overflow seating throughout the church if needed. As decisions are made, we will continue to update the congregation.
As a team we are excited to be planning the return of in-person worship. We are hopeful for the vaccine rollout, but continue to be watchful of the variant strains.
Stay safe and we can’t wait to hopefully see you all in-person, indoors, soon!
SPLC COVID Team
Katie Fetterly
Arlie Post
Joanna Kroschel
Jerry Nelson
Dave Haselbauer
Pastor Dale
Hand Washing Instructions
Face Mask Guidelines
Dear Friends and Members of Saint Paul Lutheran,
It seems wherever we go in recent days, there is confusion about whether or not facial coverings and other COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. There are so many new official announcements - weekly, if not daily! I find myself always carrying my mask with me, just in case. It's true at our church now, too. Whether for a small group meeting or for indoor worship, people are wondering/asking, "Do I still need to wear my mask?"
Throughout the pandemic our SPLC COVID-19 Response Team has been good about communicating the expectations surrounding any and all COVID-19 restrictions for our immediate community of faith. So again, in order to eliminate confusion, and provide clarity, our COVID-19 Response Team met via email last Monday and decided the following:
Beginning Sunday, July 11
- Facial coverings WILL BE OPTIONAL at all times while inside the church (worship and small groups). However, all children, youth, and adults involved in, or participating in, our upcoming Vacation Bible School, will still be required to wear masks.
- Non-vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing masks for the protection of themselves and any children or non-vaccinated youth present until our children and youth are able to be vaccinated.
- Coffee and treats will begin to be served after worship in the fellowship hall or outside (only vaccinated or those wearing masks/gloves may prepare/serve)
- Social distance seating in the sanctuary will continue indefinitely.
- Contact tracing/worship attendance will continue by way of clip-boards in designated sanctuary seating.
- As always, if not feeling well or experiencing any cold/COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and worship online until you are feeling better.
- Continue healthy hand-washing and sanitizing practices
This decision, we have found, is consistent with many other local and area congregations.
Again, thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we head towards the home stretch of this pandemic.
Pastor Dale
COVID -19 Re-Opening Update from Pastor Dale - May 25, 2021
Dear Members and Friends of Saint Paul Lutheran,
For nearly eighteen months, we’ve been working together to navigate a global pandemic in a way that keeps our members connected, strengthens our faith at a time when our faith has never been more important, and do our part to keep our members, staff, and community safe. It has not always been easy. Yet we persevered, committed to keeping our Lord’s command to love our neighbors. Thank you, for your efforts in this.
Our COVID Response Team announced back on March 9 that we would be resuming indoor worship on Sunday, May 30. That day is this coming Sunday, and we are excited!
However, in light of the various press releases of late – including two from the Governor and one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – I am writing, on behalf of the COVID Response Team, regarding three updated decisions made at our most recent meeting on Thursday, May 13.
- In reference to the CDC’s updated guidance suggesting relaxed mask wearing in some (but not all) indoor settings, we decided it is best to continue with our plan to require mask wearing when worshiping indoors. We realize the CDC counsel is that all vaccinated people can remove masks and that unvaccinated people should not, but we, as a congregation, are not in a position to know who is vaccinated and who is not. Nor do we wish to make those kinds of distinctions in our worshiping community. On the other hand, while worshiping outdoors this Summer, mask wearing among our members and guests will be optional.
- The Governor has also announced relaxed physical distancing for indoor groups under five-hundred people. For now we have decided to continue with our physical distancing measures in the sanctuary, which still allows for up to 150 worshipers to gather together safely.
- Singing will be allowed and encouraged (while masked) during indoor worship.
As always, thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to consult with health/medical professionals and look for further guidance from our elected officials in order to move forward with confidence. While there is still some uncertainty about when all aspects of our life will return to normal, I want to underscore strongly just how much forward movement we have experienced in the last few weeks. We are at a point when there is not only light at the end of the tunnel, but it is growing brighter each day and week. I am thankful for the progress we have made thus far, look forward to that continuing across the summer, and am eager to resume so many of our cherished practices and traditions this fall.
Please feel free to contact any member of the SPLC COVID Response Team (Joanna Kroschel, Jerry Nelson, Katie Fetterly, Arlie Post, Dave Haselbauer) or me, for any necessary clarification or explanation.
We are getting through this, Saint Paul Lutheran. We are getting through it together and, by God’s grace, coming out stronger on the other side.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dale
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COVID -19 UPDATE from Church Council - April 23, 2021
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you from the Church Council!
I am happy to announce again, and remind you of, the re-opening of indoor worship services at Saint Paul Lutheran Church beginning on Sunday, May 30th. We will also be officially opening our building again on Monday, May 3rd.
As part of this greeting you will find links below to three letters regarding the re-opening of the church building and sanctuary.
The first link is to a letter from Pastor Dale welcoming us back into the Church sanctuary beginning May 30th along with a list, and explanation of, expectations for church services moving forward.
The second link is to a letter from our COVID Response Team, with updates of expectations and happenings at the church along with some volunteer opportunities we hope you will consider engaging in, or re-engaging in.
The last link is to a letter outlining an upcoming 5 week preaching series entitled, “Sharing Christ’s Love”, based on our church mission statement, that will begin on Sunday, May 30. Please join us on Sundays in May and June to hear and share the word of God.
It has been over a year since we last worshipped inside of our sanctuary and the wait has been, at times, difficult. I want to thank everyone for their patience, kindness, and support of our mission during this past year. Let us all take the time to appreciate the blessings we encounter as we move back into “normal” life.
With God’s help, I believe there are great things about to happen at St. Paul Lutheran. I can’t wait to see you back in church!
Tyler Kroschel
Church Council President
(On behalf of the rest of the Council: Pastor Dale Stiles; Andy Stoyke, Vice President; Pat Clearence, Secretary; Chris Timmons, Treasurer; and members at-large Jaime Fraley, Dale Brainard, Chris Clark, Karen Rozeske, and Zella Oswald.)
Click on the Links Below to View the Letters
Pastor Dale's Welcome Back Letter
COVID Response Team Letter
"Sharing Christ's Love" Preaching Series Introductory Letter
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COVID-19 Response Team - UPDATE - March 9, 2021
Dear Friends and Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Our COVID Response Team met on Monday, March 8, and discussed what needs to happen for us to get back to in-person, indoor worship. We are keeping an eye on the potential spike in cases from the variant new strains as well as the on-going vaccine rollout. Currently, it was decided the target date to be back in the building for in-person worship is Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 30.
This is provided that any new viral variant spikes that might occur recede and the vaccine availability continues the course that it is on. Our Parish Nurses are currently contacting congregation members over the age of 65 to aid in navigating the vaccine system. They estimate at the present time, 70% are vaccinated or will be in the near future, which is encouraging! We are grateful for this. If you are wanting to get a vaccine and need help figuring out how to do so, please contact one of our parish nurses.
In order to go forward with the May 30 date a few things need to happen:
- Continued adherence to social distancing measures and correct mask wearing at outdoor/drive-in worship.
- Increased volunteerism to clean the church. If we do not have volunteers to clean on a regular enough basis, we will be unable to worship in the sanctuary. Sign Up to clean here.
- COVID numbers would need to continue to go down and any spikes would need to recede. Find out current data trends for Minnesota by clicking here.
The current plan will be to alternate indoor/outdoor worship as we have in past summers, starting Memorial Day weekend. Regardless of indoor or outdoor, the worship service will continue to be broadcast online via our Church Facebook page.
In the meantime, the COVID Response Team will be meeting regularly to plan the logistics of resuming indoor worship. We are considering numerous options including, but not limited to, ushering in/out of service, pre-registration, limited sanctuary seating, shorter indoor worship, and overflow seating throughout the church if needed. As decisions are made, we will continue to update the congregation.
As a team we are excited to be planning the return of in-person worship. We are hopeful for the vaccine rollout, but continue to be watchful of the variant strains.
Stay safe and we can’t wait to hopefully see you all in-person, indoors, soon!
SPLC COVID Team
Katie Fetterly
Arlie Post
Joanna Kroschel
Jerry Nelson
Dave Haselbauer
Pastor Dale
- SPLC COVID-19 preparedness plan
- Building use request form
- Visitor handout
- Facility use handout
- Cleaning guidelines
Hand Washing Instructions
Face Mask Guidelines