President Trump's call to open churches
Today the President demanded that governors reopen churches, synagogues and mosques “right now,” and threatened to “override” state leaders’ restrictions if they do not do so by the weekend. What does this mean for us in Ohio? Absolutely nothing. Under Governor DeWine's orders, no churches were ever "closed" or ordered not to meet. Instead, DeWine requested that faith communities find other ways to worship to help slow the spread of the virus, and the vast majority of churches have done that by offering services online over Facebook, Zoom and YouTube. Congregations decided to stop in-person worship in their church buildings, and will also decide when to return. More about that later in this post.
Tuesday Bishop's Zoom Meeting
Our Tuesday 4pm Zoom meetings with Bishop Daniel and other synod staff members has consistently been a substantive, helpful and well done program of information and support during these weeks, and now months of life with the coronavirus.
The program this week was led by Deacon Sherry Krieger, whose job title is Director of Leadership Development for Congregational Care. She brings years of experience as a social work to this synod call to provide leaders and congregations resourcing, consultation and leadership development. Sherry's presentation on Tuesday focused on being resilient leaders, and has planned a four session Leadership training for Endurance, Resilience and Transformation in June. Haven't yet decided to participate, but it looks like it would be worth the time and effort.
Speaking of time and effort, it would certainly be worth yours to take a look at the newly launched website that Sherry has developed which she describes as a "space for empowerment, exploration, encouragement, growth, development, and resources." There are so many resources linked on these pages, organized under the headings of People, Purpose, Parish and Perspectives that are available to pastors and congregational leaders. You can check it all out here.
As I perused this website, I was reminded of a book that Bishop Daniel wanted us to read and study for this synodical Year of Mission -- it's called A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation: Embarking on a Journey of Transformation by Rick Rouse and Craig Van Gelder. If you're interested, you can get it on Amazon here. Looks like you can get a used copy for $7.44. I have ordered the Kindle version and hope to start reading it soon.
At the close of her presentation, Sherry shared with us seven things we've learned from Covid-19:
- God is with us, we must listen
- Self-care is essential
- Connections & checking-in is important
- We can do new things, even when it is hard
- Mission doesn’t stop in crisis, it is amplified
- Focus and realistic expectations are critical to moving forward
- God is doing something new and we are new expressions of Christ's church
Online Worship plans
The last two Sundays things didn't go well, as we were trying to implement the use of a new camera. This was a mistake, and we should have been satisfied with the way things were. So we're going back to using the original setup, with only one change: We will go live with the service at 8:30 am instead of 10:00 am. Those who attend worship at 10 am can still do so, because once the stream is started, it can be viewed any time after that. This could even increase our view numbers. The main reason for doing this is that once we start in-person worship, we will continue to livestream the service at 8:30, so that both options are available for everyone.
First Lutheran Pittsburgh Letter
One of my ELCA Clergy Facebook group posted this letter from one of the pastors of First Lutheran in downtown Pittsburgh, one of our ELCA congregations. One of their assistant pastors is also an Episcopal Priest and also a doctor at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and has some interesting perspectives on the pandemic and attendance at worship. You can read his 2-page letter here.
Preschool update
St. John's Preschool Staff did a final goodbye to their kids on Thursday from 10am - 1pm in the church parking lot. As they did before Easter, they were in the parking lot as preschool parents drove by and stopped so staff and kids could exchange waves, smiles, and well wishes for a good summer, and for some the hope they would see them again in the fall. Parents of a possible new child for the fall visited on Thursday, so there is certainly hope for return to a semblance of normal.
Linda sent out to board members a list of new policies/guidelines for the fall. As you can see, there will be some big adjustments, but this staff will implement these new guidelines faithfully. Kudos and thanks to all our staff and board. Have a good summer!
- We will have 8 children with one teacher per classroom
- One floater per classroom (previously the assistant teacher)
- Floaters and I will no longer "float" between classrooms
- Each classroom will use one restroom (for example only the 2-day 4&5's will use the men's restroom)
- 3's/Pre-K and 2-day 4&5's will have indoor large motor in their classrooms
- 3-day AM/PM 4&5's will use the Gathering Room for indoor large motor
- All classes will use the playground for outdoor large motor with staggered times and sanitized between classes
- Frequent hand washing
- Revised drop-off and pick-up procedures with staggered start times
- Temps taken when children are dropped off at Chapel doors
- Parents/adults will not enter building
- Sanitizing classrooms/toys/playground/restrooms throughout day
- No field trips/guest speakers/story time
- No mixed groups at Open House/Chapel Time/special events
- Teachers and children in one classroom will not have contact with teachers or children from other classrooms
- Staff will wear masks (they have requested masks with clear opening for children to see their mouths while they are talking)
- Revise our communicable disease policy to include the procedure to follow if anyone develops symptoms while at preschool and/or anyone has a confirmed case of COVID-19
Our Plan for Return
The Executive Team has been meeting for the last three Sundays to create the plan for returning to worship in the church building. There are lots of details to cover, and at Sunday's meeting was in the lobby, narthex and sanctuary, marking pews for occupancy (every other one) and tape on the floor, all to encourage social distancing. We will be making some final plans at our meeting following worship this Sunday, and then we will publish a detailed Protocol/Guideline list so that those attending will know as much as possible what to expect and what to do.
Wednesday Night Live! Zoom Meeting
We used our Zoom time Wednesday evening to talk about our plan for returning to in-person worship. I reported to that group, as I did to Executive Team earlier in the week what I learned from Monday's Eastern Conference Pastors meeting, that we are the only congregation in our conference who is actively planning to return to worship in June. Other congregations that I am aware of (some of this came from my Thursday Zoom meeting of interim pastors)
- Zoar Perrysburg - June 7
- Bethlehem Attica - June 7
- St. John's Deshler - May 31
- St. Stephen Hamler - June 7
Some of those present at the Zoom meeting, and others that I am aware of as well, are not comfortable at this time to return to in-person worship. This will all be considered by Executive Team in making final decisions.
Worship Committee Meeting
Worship Committee (Ann and Roger are visiting family, and Lois is home with Jan - still taking treatments) met on Thursday and continued our planning for the return to in-person worship.
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