SPAS Covid 19 Resources ELCA COVID Response Resources
SPLC COVID Response Team Update
Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper
Jerry Nelson
Katie Fetterly
Jon Quale
Dave Haselbauer
Joanna Kroschel
Arlie Post
SPLC COVID Response Team Update 07/30/20:
Ministry Teams are welcome to meet outdoors at church, observing appropriate physical distance of 6 or more feet and wearing masks. In case of rain or inclement weather, meetings will be rescheduled. Bringing your own chair is recommended.
SPLC will follow the Governor's Executive Order requiring face coverings in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. For more information, please visit the MDH Website.
The Safety Team has been hard at work the past couple weeks evaluating the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and making recommendations for worship practices. We are also working on completing the COVID-19 Response and Preparedness document as required by the State of MN. A portion of that document relating to Outdoor & Drive In Worship is now available on our website. As with everything COVID-19 related, this document is ever changing based on CDC, MDH, and Synod recommendations. Please watch this space for updates.
Phase 2 - Outdoor & Online Safety Document
Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper
Jerry Nelson
Katie Fetterly
Jon Quale
Dave Haselbauer
Joanna Kroschel
Arlie Post
SPLC COVID Response Team Update 07/30/20:
Ministry Teams are welcome to meet outdoors at church, observing appropriate physical distance of 6 or more feet and wearing masks. In case of rain or inclement weather, meetings will be rescheduled. Bringing your own chair is recommended.
SPLC will follow the Governor's Executive Order requiring face coverings in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone. For more information, please visit the MDH Website.
The Safety Team has been hard at work the past couple weeks evaluating the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and making recommendations for worship practices. We are also working on completing the COVID-19 Response and Preparedness document as required by the State of MN. A portion of that document relating to Outdoor & Drive In Worship is now available on our website. As with everything COVID-19 related, this document is ever changing based on CDC, MDH, and Synod recommendations. Please watch this space for updates.
Phase 2 - Outdoor & Online Safety Document
SPLC’s COVID Response Team
Members: Katie Fetterly, Dave Haselbauer, Jerry Nelson, Arlie Post, Jon Quale, Pastor Sarah
An important part of the work of this team to begin was to set values by which they will make recommendations for the congregation. These values are (in no particular order):
Activities:
Members: Katie Fetterly, Dave Haselbauer, Jerry Nelson, Arlie Post, Jon Quale, Pastor Sarah
An important part of the work of this team to begin was to set values by which they will make recommendations for the congregation. These values are (in no particular order):
- Physical safety of the congregation
- Spiritual Health of congregation members
- Emotional and Fellowship support within the congregation
- Respect for and awareness of differing experiences and comfort levels
- Listening to one another
- Information from trusted authority
- Congregational resources – personnel, physical plant
- Team connectedness
- Staff and volunteer health and wellbeing
Activities:
- Reading and comparing the recommendations of MDH, CDC, ELCA and Church Mutual (our insurance company).
- Evaluating use of specific parts of the physical plant.
- Determining products and procedures for cleaning for individual use and for the weekly volunteer cleaners.
Drive-In and Outdoor Worship Procedures *****Updated June 4, 2020*****
St. Paul Lutheran Church
On May 27th, Governor Walz put in effect a set of guidelines for churches wanting to return to in-person worship. Some churches are beginning to gather in person in different ways. We will gather in a hybrid of Drive In and Outdoor Worship styles. See below for the procedures and guidelines to which we must adhere. Some have changed since we the last procedures list. The guidelines document from the governor is available on our website, www.sharingchristslove.org.
Procedures
+ Worship Leadership will take place from the outdoor amphitheater.
+ Squares measured 12 feet apart will be marked in the grass and on the front part of the parking lot facing the
amphitheater.
+ As the community arrives, you may park by the front door and walk to a space in the grass or in the parking lot. Or
you may park along the back row facing the amphitheater to remain in your car.
+ Worship will be transmitted to AM1100 radio station and broadcast via speakers.
+ Worship will be led by pastor, one musician, and a reader, spaced apart. One Sound Technician, one Videographer
and one or two ushers, will also assist, keeping distance and wearing masks.
+ Worship bulletins will be emailed to the congregation each week in the newsletter and available on the website.
Please print copies at home, or download them to your electronic device. Bulletins will be mailed to members with no internet access.
Guidelines We All Need to Adhere To
Communion
Each household (car) may bring their own bread and wine/juice and small cups. If you are bringing wine, please adhere to all laws regarding carrying liquor in your car. Not sure what those rules are? Just bring juice!
Communion supplies will not be available from St. Paul. Know that if you do not bring communion supplies for yourself, you are still blessed, forgiven, and beloved of God. We will have communion every week, so you will be able to receive the next week when you bring your supplies.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
On May 27th, Governor Walz put in effect a set of guidelines for churches wanting to return to in-person worship. Some churches are beginning to gather in person in different ways. We will gather in a hybrid of Drive In and Outdoor Worship styles. See below for the procedures and guidelines to which we must adhere. Some have changed since we the last procedures list. The guidelines document from the governor is available on our website, www.sharingchristslove.org.
Procedures
+ Worship Leadership will take place from the outdoor amphitheater.
+ Squares measured 12 feet apart will be marked in the grass and on the front part of the parking lot facing the
amphitheater.
+ As the community arrives, you may park by the front door and walk to a space in the grass or in the parking lot. Or
you may park along the back row facing the amphitheater to remain in your car.
+ Worship will be transmitted to AM1100 radio station and broadcast via speakers.
+ Worship will be led by pastor, one musician, and a reader, spaced apart. One Sound Technician, one Videographer
and one or two ushers, will also assist, keeping distance and wearing masks.
+ Worship bulletins will be emailed to the congregation each week in the newsletter and available on the website.
Please print copies at home, or download them to your electronic device. Bulletins will be mailed to members with no internet access.
Guidelines We All Need to Adhere To
- Anyone who is sick must stay home. Also stay home if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, of COVID-19: cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle ache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Stay home if a household member has any of the above symptoms of COVID-19, if you or a member of the household has been exposed to COVID-19.
- If you begin to feel unwell during the service, please leave immediately and isolate yourself at home or seek proper medical treatment. .
- Each household must be in a separate car (no car pooling) or within separate squares.
- Attendees who sit outside of their cars must bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on.
- Attendees who are outside of their cars are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to wear a mask.
- Cars with individuals inside must be at least six (6) feet from any other car. Then you may roll down your windows.
- St. Paul will not be serving any food or beverages, feel free to bring your own! Do not share food or drink between cars.
- You may use the bathrooms in an emergency. Bathrooms and door handles will be sterilized weekly. Please enter the church through the front door to avoid contact with worship leaders.
- No passing of objects or physical contact between households. This includes before and after worship.
- The service will be around 45 minutes. Please safely make your way out of the grass and parking lot when the service is finished. Avoid the temptation to stay and visit before and after worship.
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people not in the same household at all times. This includes establishing distance with people next to you and in front and behind you.
Communion
Each household (car) may bring their own bread and wine/juice and small cups. If you are bringing wine, please adhere to all laws regarding carrying liquor in your car. Not sure what those rules are? Just bring juice!
Communion supplies will not be available from St. Paul. Know that if you do not bring communion supplies for yourself, you are still blessed, forgiven, and beloved of God. We will have communion every week, so you will be able to receive the next week when you bring your supplies.
May 21, 2020
Dear Beloved People of God,
The last thirteen words of the Gospel of Matthew are some of the most comforting in all of scripture. Jesus says, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." He is talking with his disciples, just before he ascends into heaven and just after commanding them to travel the world teaching people about him and baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
These words are not just for them. They are also for us. Most of us aren't doing much world traveling these days. But we are still in the business of teaching (and learning) about Christ, and baptizing (and worshiping and breaking bread and praying) in the name of the Trinity. I know you have missed weekly Sunday worship together as I have, particularly Communion. We have done the right thing in staying home. Christians are always called to care for our neighbor as much as we care for God and for ourselves. In this pandemic season, that has meant, and still means, keeping physical distance, wearing masks, washing hands, and staying home when we're sick.
As a congregation, we have diverse experiences of the pandemic and many different reference points for finding information. As individuals and households we will make varied choices about the kinds of precautions we each want to take. The Council and Worship, Arts and Music Team have tried to explore many differing viewpoints in coming to the decisions about guidelines and procedures. We also know that we are living in a fluid situation, so we will always watch for updated information and make changes as we can and as needed.
Because Governor Walz lightened the Stay-at-Home Order to a Stay-Safe Order, your Council and I have agreed to offer Drive In Worship in the parking lot of our church. With much prayerful consideration and discussion, and in consultation with documents shared with us by the Minnesota Department of Health (Click here to read the letter), as well as peers in the Synod, we created SPLC Drive In Worship Procedures. This document guides our collective behavior to keep us all safe, including no getting out of the car and no passing objects between cars. Click the blue link above or visit our website here: Covid 19 Updates. Please read it in full before attending Drive In Worship.
We also created a Worship Leader Procedures for Drive In Worship during Covid 19. document which outlines safe behaviors for those leading worship. This list includes checking temperatures before coming to worship, when outside of the car, wearing a mask unless you are speaking to lead, no more than 10 people out of the car at one time, and more. You can click the blue link above or visit the website here: Covid 19 Updates.
Here are a few other things to know:
Here is the bulletin for May 24, 2020.
Please take this short, three-minute survey about worship and communications to help us as we navigate a new way of operating.
As always, please be in touch if you have any need or question or just need someone to talk with. We are in this together!
Peace,
Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper
pastor@sharingchristslove.org
Church: 651-462-5212 Cell:517-902-3977
Dear Beloved People of God,
The last thirteen words of the Gospel of Matthew are some of the most comforting in all of scripture. Jesus says, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." He is talking with his disciples, just before he ascends into heaven and just after commanding them to travel the world teaching people about him and baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
These words are not just for them. They are also for us. Most of us aren't doing much world traveling these days. But we are still in the business of teaching (and learning) about Christ, and baptizing (and worshiping and breaking bread and praying) in the name of the Trinity. I know you have missed weekly Sunday worship together as I have, particularly Communion. We have done the right thing in staying home. Christians are always called to care for our neighbor as much as we care for God and for ourselves. In this pandemic season, that has meant, and still means, keeping physical distance, wearing masks, washing hands, and staying home when we're sick.
As a congregation, we have diverse experiences of the pandemic and many different reference points for finding information. As individuals and households we will make varied choices about the kinds of precautions we each want to take. The Council and Worship, Arts and Music Team have tried to explore many differing viewpoints in coming to the decisions about guidelines and procedures. We also know that we are living in a fluid situation, so we will always watch for updated information and make changes as we can and as needed.
Because Governor Walz lightened the Stay-at-Home Order to a Stay-Safe Order, your Council and I have agreed to offer Drive In Worship in the parking lot of our church. With much prayerful consideration and discussion, and in consultation with documents shared with us by the Minnesota Department of Health (Click here to read the letter), as well as peers in the Synod, we created SPLC Drive In Worship Procedures. This document guides our collective behavior to keep us all safe, including no getting out of the car and no passing objects between cars. Click the blue link above or visit our website here: Covid 19 Updates. Please read it in full before attending Drive In Worship.
We also created a Worship Leader Procedures for Drive In Worship during Covid 19. document which outlines safe behaviors for those leading worship. This list includes checking temperatures before coming to worship, when outside of the car, wearing a mask unless you are speaking to lead, no more than 10 people out of the car at one time, and more. You can click the blue link above or visit the website here: Covid 19 Updates.
Here are a few other things to know:
- Worship will be video recorded and posted online after worship so that anyone can watch from home
- Dial-a-Sermon will continue to be available at (651)371-5421
- The bulletin for worship will be emailed during the week prior to worship. For those without email, one multi-use bulletin will be mailed for use throughout the summer and each week a song sheet will be mailed. No bulletins will be available at church.
- We will have communion, but each car must bring their own bread and wine or juice. No communion elements will be available at church.
Here is the bulletin for May 24, 2020.
Please take this short, three-minute survey about worship and communications to help us as we navigate a new way of operating.
As always, please be in touch if you have any need or question or just need someone to talk with. We are in this together!
Peace,
Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper
pastor@sharingchristslove.org
Church: 651-462-5212 Cell:517-902-3977
March 28, 2020
Beloved of God,
Governor Walz and the experts are asking us to stay home for two weeks, through April 10th. They have solemnly warned us that if we do not change our behavior, and stay at home, something like 70,000 Minnesotans could die because of COVID-19. Pastor Sarah and the Council agreed to comply with Governor Walz's Stay at Home Order and suspend drive-in worship for March 29th and April 5th.
We hope that we will be able to worship drive-in style again on Easter Sunday, April 12th. Tomorrow and April 5th we will provide video worship on our Facebook page and our website. For those with no access to the internet, an at-home service has been created and mailed.
I know that this is far from ideal. And maybe it seems unfair that other businesses are remaining open when our doors are closed and our worship is not in-person. Certainly worshiping together with our congregation is an essential need in many of our lives! We are asking you to stay home for worship for two weeks in compliance with our Governor's order. Worship will still happen on-line and in your homes. And when we return on Easter, our worship will be all the sweeter.
Jesus invites us to consider our neighbor, in fact, to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. In this situation, that means staying home so that we do not spread the virus, thereby helping to spare our neighbor the disease. This disease is a terrible killer. The stories from Italy, New York, and Seattle are heartbreaking. I am choosing to follow the law, to try to spare my neighbor, and to trust that God works through the governor and the health care workers to make wise and just orders.
Grace and peace to you,
Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper, Interim Pastor
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wyoming, MN
651-462-5212
www.sharingchristslove.org
Beloved of God,
Governor Walz and the experts are asking us to stay home for two weeks, through April 10th. They have solemnly warned us that if we do not change our behavior, and stay at home, something like 70,000 Minnesotans could die because of COVID-19. Pastor Sarah and the Council agreed to comply with Governor Walz's Stay at Home Order and suspend drive-in worship for March 29th and April 5th.
We hope that we will be able to worship drive-in style again on Easter Sunday, April 12th. Tomorrow and April 5th we will provide video worship on our Facebook page and our website. For those with no access to the internet, an at-home service has been created and mailed.
I know that this is far from ideal. And maybe it seems unfair that other businesses are remaining open when our doors are closed and our worship is not in-person. Certainly worshiping together with our congregation is an essential need in many of our lives! We are asking you to stay home for worship for two weeks in compliance with our Governor's order. Worship will still happen on-line and in your homes. And when we return on Easter, our worship will be all the sweeter.
Jesus invites us to consider our neighbor, in fact, to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. In this situation, that means staying home so that we do not spread the virus, thereby helping to spare our neighbor the disease. This disease is a terrible killer. The stories from Italy, New York, and Seattle are heartbreaking. I am choosing to follow the law, to try to spare my neighbor, and to trust that God works through the governor and the health care workers to make wise and just orders.
Grace and peace to you,
Rev. Sarah Friesen-Carper, Interim Pastor
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wyoming, MN
651-462-5212
www.sharingchristslove.org
A letter from Pastor Sarah regarding Upcoming Worship Activities
March 18, 2020
Beloved of God,
Grace and peace to the people of St. Paul Lutheran Church!
I have been humming the song You Are Mine these last few days. The chorus of that song is a promise from God: "Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine." Those words are particularly meaningful as we face this global pandemic. God is with all of us and all of God's good creation and is at work throughout this time of uncertainty.
SPLC's Council and I met last night to discuss how we, at St. Paul, can proceed in this time of uncertainty. We take seriously the medical and health experts' advice to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus; including suspending gatherings, washing hands, and staying home when we are sick. We also heed our call as Christians to care for our neighbors and we know that in times of uncertainty we need our faith community more than ever. Accordingly, these are the actions we are taking at St. Paul:
Please stay connected with one another. If you or a neighbor, loved one, or friend need assistance, a listening ear, or have questions, please don't hesitate to call or email. We plan for the office to be open during regular hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-12pm. In an effort to keep people healthy, please call or email rather than stop by the office.
Office Administrator: 651-462-5212 admin@sharingchristslove.org
Pastor Sarah email: 517-902-3977 pastor@sharingchristslove.org
We are in this together with our gracious God.
"...do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you..." Isaiah 41:10
The Peace of Christ is with you,
Pastor Sarah
March 18, 2020
Beloved of God,
Grace and peace to the people of St. Paul Lutheran Church!
I have been humming the song You Are Mine these last few days. The chorus of that song is a promise from God: "Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine." Those words are particularly meaningful as we face this global pandemic. God is with all of us and all of God's good creation and is at work throughout this time of uncertainty.
SPLC's Council and I met last night to discuss how we, at St. Paul, can proceed in this time of uncertainty. We take seriously the medical and health experts' advice to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus; including suspending gatherings, washing hands, and staying home when we are sick. We also heed our call as Christians to care for our neighbors and we know that in times of uncertainty we need our faith community more than ever. Accordingly, these are the actions we are taking at St. Paul:
- Following the recommendations of the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health, all in-person gatherings are suspended for the next eight (8) weeks. This includes worship, education, and Ministry Team meetings.
- The Family Pathways Food Truck on March 21st will park in our parking lot and hand out prepared boxes of food directly to vehicles.
- We are working on Spiritual care tools in the form of at-home devotionals and on-line posts.
- Drive-in Worship on Sundays at 9am in the church's parking lot. Park your car in the lot facing the main entrance to the church and tune your radio to AM 1200. This way we can worship together while observing appropriate social distancing behavior. Please exercise appropriate caution and stay home if you are sick. And please do not get out of your car.
- Drive-in Worship on March 22nd at 9am will include a brief Service of the Word without music and without communion.
- Drive-in Worship on March 29th at 9am and following will more closely resemble regular Sunday morning worship including music and Bring-Your-Own-Communion-Elements.
- Communion is optional. If you wish to participate in communion, bring a piece of bread and/or grape juice from home. Please do not make a special trip to the store for communion elements.
- Lutherans believe that bread alone or juice alone is sufficient for communion. God is present in each. We also trust that God's grace comes to us, not only in communion, but also in the Word and in Baptism. So be assured that you will receive grace and forgiveness in whichever way you participate.
- For more information about the ELCA's understanding of Communion, click here.
- Confirmation worship is rescheduled for May 31, 2020, the Day of Pentecost.
- We so appreciate you continuing to give to your congregation. You can mail your offering or bring it in person during office hours or on Sunday morning. Alternatively, this may be a good time to set up electronic giving. More information about how to do that will be available soon.
- If you would like to set-up Simply Giving, click here.
- We will work to stay in touch with you and share information as more becomes available. Please keep your eyes open for the weekly newsletter, our website and our Facebook page.
Please stay connected with one another. If you or a neighbor, loved one, or friend need assistance, a listening ear, or have questions, please don't hesitate to call or email. We plan for the office to be open during regular hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-12pm. In an effort to keep people healthy, please call or email rather than stop by the office.
Office Administrator: 651-462-5212 admin@sharingchristslove.org
Pastor Sarah email: 517-902-3977 pastor@sharingchristslove.org
We are in this together with our gracious God.
"...do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you..." Isaiah 41:10
The Peace of Christ is with you,
Pastor Sarah
A letter from Pastor Sarah regarding Upcoming Worship Services
March 16, 2020
We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. - Romans 5:2-5
Dear People of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Grace and peace to you! I hope you are heeding the recommendations from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, caring for your own health and that of others! As Christians, our priority is to care for our neighbors and so we are called on to exercise an abundance of caution in these difficult times.
At St. Paul Lutheran Church, we are doing our part to follow the official recommendations and "flatten the curve" of the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, all worship and other events are cancelled beginning now through April 5, 2020, Palm Sunday. This includes Sunday morning and Wednesday evening worship, Confirmation classes, SPLASH, Sunday School, Adult Forum, and band practice. Ministry Team meetings will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We will be monitoring the situation and making changes as needed.
Your Council and Pastor are working on possibilities for electronic Sunday worship and perhaps communion. We will meet tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17th) evening and more information will be shared after that meeting.
Remember, we are people of hope because, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans, God has poured love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. God is in this with us and with all God's beloved creation.
If you have any questions, please feel to reach out to your Church Council or Pastor Sarah.
March 16, 2020
We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. - Romans 5:2-5
Dear People of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Grace and peace to you! I hope you are heeding the recommendations from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, caring for your own health and that of others! As Christians, our priority is to care for our neighbors and so we are called on to exercise an abundance of caution in these difficult times.
At St. Paul Lutheran Church, we are doing our part to follow the official recommendations and "flatten the curve" of the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, all worship and other events are cancelled beginning now through April 5, 2020, Palm Sunday. This includes Sunday morning and Wednesday evening worship, Confirmation classes, SPLASH, Sunday School, Adult Forum, and band practice. Ministry Team meetings will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We will be monitoring the situation and making changes as needed.
Your Council and Pastor are working on possibilities for electronic Sunday worship and perhaps communion. We will meet tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17th) evening and more information will be shared after that meeting.
Remember, we are people of hope because, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans, God has poured love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. God is in this with us and with all God's beloved creation.
If you have any questions, please feel to reach out to your Church Council or Pastor Sarah.
A letter from the Council regarding Sunday, March 15 Worship Service
Saturday, March 14, 2020
An ounce of prevent is worth a pound of cure.
The hourly updates about the coronavirus, COVID-19, have us concerned about our own health and the well-being of our congregational members. Your leaders have been prayerfully considering what course we, at St. Paul Lutheran, should take.
After much discernment, we have decided to take the approach of helping to flatten the curve of this epidemic by canceling worship for Sunday, March 15. Flattening the curve is essentially introducing interventions such as social distancing, hand-washing, and lock downs to reduce the potential spread of infection. We feel that by canceling service this is one step we can take in this process. The council is meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss further closings that may be necessary and the possibility of being able to stream worship (Pastor's message).
We will be personally reaching out (today) to individuals who do not have social media. If you know someone who does not receive our electronic communication, please be a friend and contact them.
The disease will affect all of us in different ways. As good stewards of Jesus, we want to be sure to check on your neighbors, friends, co-workers. What can we do to help each other? It may be as simple as picking up someone's prescription. Maybe it is to pick up a gallon of milk for them. Remember, if we all do a little to help one another, we will all get through this. At Tuesday evening's council meeting, we will be discussing ways our congregation can help the community.
If you have any questions, please feel to reach out to your Church Council or Pastor Sarah.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
An ounce of prevent is worth a pound of cure.
The hourly updates about the coronavirus, COVID-19, have us concerned about our own health and the well-being of our congregational members. Your leaders have been prayerfully considering what course we, at St. Paul Lutheran, should take.
After much discernment, we have decided to take the approach of helping to flatten the curve of this epidemic by canceling worship for Sunday, March 15. Flattening the curve is essentially introducing interventions such as social distancing, hand-washing, and lock downs to reduce the potential spread of infection. We feel that by canceling service this is one step we can take in this process. The council is meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss further closings that may be necessary and the possibility of being able to stream worship (Pastor's message).
We will be personally reaching out (today) to individuals who do not have social media. If you know someone who does not receive our electronic communication, please be a friend and contact them.
The disease will affect all of us in different ways. As good stewards of Jesus, we want to be sure to check on your neighbors, friends, co-workers. What can we do to help each other? It may be as simple as picking up someone's prescription. Maybe it is to pick up a gallon of milk for them. Remember, if we all do a little to help one another, we will all get through this. At Tuesday evening's council meeting, we will be discussing ways our congregation can help the community.
If you have any questions, please feel to reach out to your Church Council or Pastor Sarah.
A letter from Pastor Sarah regarding Coronavirus COVID-19
March 13, 2020
Dear People of St. Paul Lutheran,
Grace and peace to you!
I write to you amidst the increasing concern around the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
First things first, let us spend time praying for those whose lives are severely impacted by this virus, for those who are most vulnerable, and for our leaders to make wise and compassionate decisions about public health.
Second, let us, as individuals and as a congregation, make choices that benefit our own health and the health of our neighbors. We know that our God is with us in times of ease and times of stress. And we know that gathering around Word and Sacrament is an important part of keeping ourselves grounded in God's grace and mercy. We will, therefore, continue to meet for worship unless we are otherwise instructed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, or Chisago County officials.
Already we have chosen to refrain from physical touch as we share the peace in worship. Here are a few other precautions we will take as recommended by the ELCA and the St. Paul Area Synod. (Here are links to those recommendations: https://elca.org/publichealth and https://www.spas-elca.org/resources/for-congregations/covid-19-resources/ )
Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
Chicago County: https://www.chisagocounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=994
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
In Christ,
Pastor Sarah
March 13, 2020
Dear People of St. Paul Lutheran,
Grace and peace to you!
I write to you amidst the increasing concern around the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
First things first, let us spend time praying for those whose lives are severely impacted by this virus, for those who are most vulnerable, and for our leaders to make wise and compassionate decisions about public health.
Second, let us, as individuals and as a congregation, make choices that benefit our own health and the health of our neighbors. We know that our God is with us in times of ease and times of stress. And we know that gathering around Word and Sacrament is an important part of keeping ourselves grounded in God's grace and mercy. We will, therefore, continue to meet for worship unless we are otherwise instructed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, or Chisago County officials.
Already we have chosen to refrain from physical touch as we share the peace in worship. Here are a few other precautions we will take as recommended by the ELCA and the St. Paul Area Synod. (Here are links to those recommendations: https://elca.org/publichealth and https://www.spas-elca.org/resources/for-congregations/covid-19-resources/ )
- We will refrain from communing by intinction. Rather communion wine will be poured from the chalice into individual cups. All communion servers shall wash their hands with antibacterial soap or use hand sanitizer prior to serving communion and all communion ware shall be washed in hot water with disinfectant soap after each use.
- Offering plates will not be passed but will be placed in convenient locations in the sanctuary. You are encouraged to consider electronic giving to the church as an alternative to paper money. You may contact the church office for more information about electronic giving.
- Each of us will be invited to take part in cleaning commonly used surfaces in the church building such as pews, the altar rail, doors, and bathroom surfaces whenever we are at church.
- Anyone preparing food in the kitchen will exercise the best possible caution including wearing gloves, hairnets and staying out of the kitchen if they feel sick - or not essential.
Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
Chicago County: https://www.chisagocounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=994
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
In Christ,
Pastor Sarah