When & How we worship In-Person again

Principles for When and How to Conduct In-Person Worship at First Lutheran Church

Overview:
For the foreseeable future, we will continue to provide worship online. While it is not yet possible to determine a specific date for when it is safe to worship in-person, the congregation leadership and staff has identified a set of positive principles that will guide us in deciding when it will be safe to add in-person worship. First Lutheran will not gather for in person worship in May. Toward the end of May, leadership and staff will evaluate conditions for a possible addition of in-person worship.

The first set of principles describes what it means to be church in a time of pandemic. Above all, our calling as the body of Christ is to demonstrate love and care for the total well-being and health of the neighbor.

1. The church has a calling to act in a way that promotes the health and well-being of those who gather and also of the wider community.
2. As the body of Christ, and servants of God, we do not assume privilege, or an exception when it comes to gathering, but the church acts within guidelines that others must abide, to affirm our shared humanity and common cause.
3. Jesus called the church not to run away from crosses and challenges. As followers of Christ, we are called to be more patient, show greater resilience, and display stronger fortitude in dealing with the frustrations and challenges of this pandemic,
4. Above all, we act in a way that shows primary concern for the well-being of others, especially mindful of those who are most vulnerable to the virus.

The second set of principles are the health guidelines that will inform the decision of when to gather again.

Health guidelines issued by the National CDC and the State of Iowa.
The Governor issues regular updated proclamations that include specific guidelines for gatherings. Though the Governor does not wish to compel worshipping communities to follow these guidelines, the proclamations present useful guidance for organizations and groups that are applicable for congregations and promote the general well-fare of all.
The latest proclamation was issued the end of April. Here are important findings.

1. Linn County is one of 22 counties where more restrictive guidelines are described and a kind of shelter in place continues to be prescribed.
2. For all 99 counties, section six of the proclamation continues to prohibit social gatherings of more than 10.
3. The CDC and the State of Iowa continue to identify at risk populations of those age 60 and older and strongly limits any congregating of at-risk populations.

Guidance from our Bishop and other religious leaders.
At the end of April, Bishop Michael Burk and other denominational leaders issued a joint letter that congregations should refrain from in-person religious gatherings for the time being. In a follow up letter, Bishop Burk continued to advise against gathering at least through May, if not longer.  Letter from Ecumenical Leaders: https://seiasynod.org/synod-news/ecumenical-leaders-respond

Guidance from local health officials, local conditions, and local rates of virus infection
Local health care professionals have an on-the-ground understanding of local conditions in Cedar Rapids.

1. Linn County continues to have one of the higher rates of virus infection in the state and in the nation. Local officials and medical officials will be approached for their sense of when it is safe to gather again. We keep in mind a number of factors.
2. The virus continues to pose a significant threat to people. The virus has not become less deadly. The community spread of the virus continues.
3. Major employers in the area continue to have offices closed.
4. Schools have not reopened.
5. Because of the social nature of church, worship gatherings in particular can provide the opportunity for the virus to spread.
6. The Church leaders and staff are looking for a significant reduction in the number of new COVID cases before looking to return to in-person worship.
7. We are in conversation with our Insurance Company regarding liability.

Conclusion: First Lutheran will continue to provide worship and ministry through on-line means. There is no date yet established for the addition of in-person worship. The congregation leadership and staff continue to monitor national, state, and the local conditions. The congregation will be informed in advance by spotlight, email, and webpage when in-person worship will be added to the on-going online worship services.

When we do return to worship together, worship will look different for the sake of ensuring the well-being of all people.  
The staff and church leadership will continue to develop plans for what it will mean to gather together for worship and ministry. When it seems safe to do so, there will be a phased approach in our gathering. The staff and the wider church continue to network and plan for resuming in-person worship.
 
Phase 1 will be a more restrictive kind of gathering to seek the well-fare of others.

1. We will continue to offer a streaming worship at 9 a.m. This will continue to be a dedicated worship service taped earlier.
2. To practice safe distancing of 6 feet, we will make available every other pew and limit the number of people in the pew to a family or to 3 individuals. That means the capacity of the sanctuary will be 100 people.
3. We are reviewing a weekend schedule for worship to allow time for cleaning between services and provide appropriate weekend total seating capacity. Adequate time will be given between services to allow for cleaning of the pews, doors and public spaces.
4. Until such a time when it is deemed safe, holy communion will be offered through streaming worship once a month.
5. We will encourage those who have risk factors, and those who are older, that they should not gather for in-person worship. We will encourage people to confer with children and family members before coming to worship.
6. We will strongly encourage people wear masks at all times. We will have masks available for those who did not bring one. We wear masks for the sake of protecting our neighbor.
7. Hymnbooks and bulletins will be removed, so as to limit contacts.
8. The offering plates will not be passed but will be stationed so that people can place their offering in them.
9. We will establish a one-way flow of traffic so as to limit people crossing paths.
10. We will not offer coffee or donuts. A benchmark for when that can resume will be the guideline for self-service in restaurants, and when that is allowed again. No seating will be made available in the narthex.
11. Access to the building will be limited to the main level
12. SEMP will continue to provide meals at the door until restrictions on social distance and seating in restaurants are lifted.